Welcome to RMD's Blog

The Hamburglar has nothing on this campaign

2011-05-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

Tandoor Chef’s 30 Days of Masala Burgers is a celebration of America’s greatest summer time grilling passion ... with a fusion twist. Each sandwich is made out of vegetarian Masala burgers. What?!? You can’t do that ... That’s against the bylaws of the National Institute of Hamburger Technology. Don’t fret burger lovers. The tasty Tandoor Chef burger adds an extra zest as you kick off the BBQ season. And don’t worry carnivores, even though they’re vegetarian, some of the recipes the brand has received from burger lovin' consumers to date, slip a slice of crispy bacon your way, too.

Check it out. Each day you’ll find a newly uploaded, creative burger by guest food bloggers and burger connoisseurs ... So, go ahead, think like the Hamburglar and steal these delicious creations for your own grilling pleasure.
- Donn Ditzhazy, Executive Creative Director

Sorry Ladies ... Only Men Allowed in the Southern Recipe Man Cave.

2011-03-02T07:38:00.001-08:00

http://www.ExploreManCave.com
Ok ladies, no need to jump in your pink VW Bug and storm my office, you can play too. In fact, lovin' this delicious, crunchy pork rind snack is not required. So all you Southern boys, enjoy finding the tricks inside the man cave. And for the girls, we'll show you the way with bright yellow arrows ... Oops, there I go again.
- Donn Ditzhazy, Executive Creative Director

Nacho Good For The Brand

2011-02-11T08:03:00.000-08:00

Nacho flavored Doritos. They’re crunchy, made of corn and are triangle shaped. There’s not much more you can say about them ... but wait there is more ... after just a few handfuls they leave your fingers a dull flavorful orange color. What to do? What to do? According to the consumer generated Super Bowl TV commercial, you have a stranger suck the residue off your fingers. Heaven help you if you wipe your hands on your pants ... Oops, they got that covered as well.

Now don’t get me wrong. The right kind of humor can help the consumer remember your product and can even establish its brand as fun or youthful. But there’s a fine line of being funny and having the icky factor. No, I don’t think complete strangers will be staring at my fingers after a bagful. But after viewing a grown man going-to-town on his co-worker’s digits, makes me not want to lick my own fingers. And I don’t think that’s good for Doritos or me.

- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Turn me over, I’m done.

2011-01-20T08:04:00.000-08:00

We’ve all been there. It’s cold, you’re waiting for your bus and you think to yourself, “If only I had an oven next to me to keep me toasty ... you know, like if I were a sandwich." You’ve never thought that? Well, now you will. To introduce their new breakfast sandwiches, Caribou Coffee converted a bus stop into a giant oven complete with an electric heating element to keep riders warm. Yes, we’ve seen these heated bus stop ideas in the past, but what I appreciate is the “beyond the call” elements, such as, realistic oven controls on top of the shelter along with a functioning clock. And of course, let’s not forget the tasty sandwich shots. The only thing missing may be the scent of bacon and egg wafting through the morning air. But then again, do we really need anymore temptations for licking the picture?

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

A Winning Brand

2010-10-20T12:33:00.000-07:00

In the world of advertising, there is a common misnomer that being "creative" only means producing funny TV spots or clever magazine ads. Brand strategy typically isn't one of those topics discussed among consumers. And although a brand has the ability to touch your heart and mind, consumers don't really speak of it.

Today's Creative Worth Creating focuses on a strong brand. Last weekend I went to Notre Dame for a football game. And no, before you roll your eyes, I am not a fan. My team, Western Michigan, unfortunately lost. This is a story about a branding machine. With only 8,500 undergrad students on campus, they invite 80,000 to explore their buildings, Cathedral and serene surroundings and of course, buy their goods. What impressed me? At every turn there was a Notre Dame volunteer offering assistance or at least welcoming me to Notre Dame. Maybe it's the Walmart effect - a geriatric greeter standing at the front door welcoming shoppers, so they are less likely to steal. Perhaps it's the value placed on a 100 million dollar business and realizing that a kind and helpful brand generates many more dollars than a cold public institution (but let's not forget that there is a religious component, as well). Perhaps every team should play Notre Dame - not for the challenge of the game, but for the way a little college treats the buying visitor.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Naturally Sweet Ad

2010-10-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sweet 'n Low has been around for years and although its main ingredient, saccharin, has had its ups and downs regarding health issues, it has stood the test of time. So, as we watch the onslaught of new sugar substitutes from "natural" means, we once again see Sweet 'n Low maneuvering their marketing. This magazine print ad – targeted toward women – uses the trademark Sweet 'n Low pink look and feel to position itself as "natural" without saying the words. There's no need for a headline or copy – just a visual that says it all ... "Use this product and your life will be happy and cheerful." And in today's world, that's not a bad thought.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

The Possibilities House Paint Brings ...

2010-10-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

This Sherwin Williams TV spot is worthy of a Pixar movie trailer. As a soothing voice over serenades the viewer, we are drawn to the vibrant use of paper paint chips fashioned as plant life. We watch as a bee flies flower-to-flower pollinating with the wonderment and possibilities that this house paint may bring. Yes, we've scene this technique before. However, the twist comes from the animation itself. And besides, in a world of taupe and off white, it's nice to see what color could bring to your life.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Bad Dog. Good Ad.

2010-09-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Today's creative spotlight focuses on grabbing any one of the thirty-nine percent of U.S. households that own at least one dog. Who can resist not stopping to look at this monster of a canine – especially when there's a small tree clutched between its teeth? But wait a minute, this isn't an ad about dog food or the local Humane Society, it's about Pergo flooring. Maybe I like the metaphor of a tree positioned over the "wood" Pergo floor or perhaps the soil that's dredged in from outdoors that gives the reader that easy–to–clean floor factor. I'm not sure, but it does stop you. Although in my case, I paused a little longer on this ad. I had a Border Collie that actually did in fact pull out my freshly planted bushes. And although she is long gone, the memory of me chasing her around the backyard – as she proudly pranced away from me – still makes me smile. And to that, I thank you Pergo.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Old Product Creates New Buzz

2010-09-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

A great viral marketing campaign does two things: entertains and compels you to interact with the brand. The newest (well, it's not new to the 750,300 people who have viewed it on YouTube) viral spot does just that. The product Tipp-Ex is an old – very old – white out type product that was used with typewriters. Yes, I said typewriters. I think it's amazing that this product still exists and that anyone would want to buy it. Maybe that's why I like this video so much. Beside the fact that you have fun dropping in different words to see the interactions between the bear and the man, it uses a social media medium to sell an obsolete product to a new generation. Will it work? I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet that old school just may be in session.

Click here to check out the interactive experience.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Meat Good ... Ad Better

2010-09-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Although the‚ "Go Meat‚" themed TV commercials from Hillshire Farm have been running for 3 years, they still make me smile when I see them or a new one in the series. Even the watered down version with a kid auctioning off his sandwich at the school lunch table, makes you want to - dare I say - eat meat. Maybe it's the end of the grilling season that has gotten me a bit sentimental or perhaps it's the grown men chanting, "Go meat" with great robust vigor. Or still, maybe it's the fact that Hillshire is a meat company, and while in today's society it's more fashionable to be vegetarian - or at least tame your carnivore instincts and reduce your consumption - it's actually refreshing to see a company say, "Damn it we sell meat and it tastes good."

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Let's Play Ball

2010-08-31T14:11:00.001-07:00

Billboards need to catch your eye quickly. We have literally seconds to look at the image, process the message, then decide if it’s worth it for us to react. All while we whiz on by at 70 mph. But this billboard subtlety makes a statement about the YMCA. A simple backboard hanging in the center of the board, yet you get the message ... YMCA is a safe place for youth to play, learn and interact with others. But it’s not just the billboard itself that stands out, it’s the placement of this billboard. Like an abandoned play ground, the backdrop plays well with the ad, further establishing the power of this simple message. Now let’s play ball.

-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

A Beeping Good Spot

2010-08-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, you don't need to know what is being said, to get the message. Case in point, the Twix candy bar TV spot that is in Spanish and currently running in a Latin country. Although you don't know what is being said ... you definitely know what is being said. Now don't get me wrong, I don't believe in swearing around children, but you have to admit, this is funny ... because it's possible. The closer we come to portraying a real life situation – that takes a turn for the worst – the more believable it becomes. But what I also appreciate is the continuity of the messaging. This spot fits right into what we’ve been seeing in the US. And as long as it still hits your demographic, although in a different country, why reinvent the wheel? Besides, there's no truth to the rumor that the first spoken word from my daughter was sh*t ... no matter what my mother–in–law says.
-D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Old Spice. New Image?

2010-08-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

There seems to be a lot hoopla about the Old Spice TV spots currently running. In short, it’s a baritone, shirtless and buff man humorously speaking of the virtues of using Old Spice Body Wash. Some of the 13 million YouTube viewers say it objectifies men because the commercial tells you that smelling - well, I guess manly - gets the girl. Others say that women are positioned as mindless objects that only care about body and scent. I say this commercial grabs and keeps your attention with the creative ... with copy and scene morphing special effects. It entertains ... But more importantly for me, it’s funny. It’s great way to take your dad’s cologne and make it youthful. I also believe the consumer - man or woman - will remember this spot and perhaps secretly purchase the product. But the real question may be, will men admit to using the product? It reminds me of when I was in college and on occasion wore Old Spice cologne. I got more compliments on this scent, than when I wore some of the more popular colognes of the day. Of course, I lied and told them it was Calvin Klein. Mmmmm, I wonder if that old bottle still has any magic left in it?
- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

I'd try that

2010-08-11T04:56:00.000-07:00

Don’t get me wrong. I’m no vegetarian, I love a great steak and I most certainly don’t glare at you while you crunch away on your morning bacon. In fact, I think non-meat eaters secretly long for the taste of a chili cheese dog at the baseball game. Okay, that last comment may be a bit crazy. But I gotta say, this meatless burger magazine ad stopped this carnivore in his tracks. Let’s face it, when you’re summer grillin’, the only thing you care about is a piece of tasty charred meat. But this ad entices me buy this product and say, “make mine with extra bacon, please” ... well, it does say the burger has 57% less fat.

- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Just say hello

2010-08-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

I always give a nostalgic nod to an old time product when they freshen up their message without changing the product itself. The Hello Jell-O TV campaign uses a rhythmic tune while “surprised” bystanders, on the streets of NY, receive a serving of Jell-O. They’re happy, the Jell-O street team’s happy ... I’m happy ... and I haven’t eaten Jell-O for 15 years. It makes me want to say hello to an old friend.

- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Smell the success

2010-07-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it may not be the most creative magazine ad to look at – but, who can resist not scratching and sniffing this ad? I don't even like the smell of Gain, but there I am sticking my nose to the page. Just imagine if you did like the scent, you just may buy the product. Hey, wait a minute ... they just may have something there.

- D Ditzhazy, Executive Creative Director

What's Your Brand?

2010-07-14T15:09:00.000-07:00

Brand image ... It’s not just for corporations, it’s something we all have. For better or worse. Sometimes an image is attached to you without you ever knowing – nor wanting. It creeps up on you. My lease is up in a couple of months on my Jeep Commander. It served me well. Through the messy dogs, messier kids and errant rocks to the windshield ... It took a licking and dare I say, kept on ticking. No, I don’t get sentimental over cars, in fact I get bored of them much faster than my allotted 36 months. But it did get me thinking as I gave some co-workers a ride last week. Is this filthy car my image? I say no, but then again, I saw a dirty and rusted Krispy Kreme donut truck driving down the road the other day and immediately thought – don’t buy the donuts. Dirty on the outside means dirty on the inside, right? I now can’t bring myself to buy the donuts (ok, it helps to think of the empty calories, as well). So I ask, what’s your personal brand? Can you guess the brand of our team members? I’m changing my brand right now. I now will be known as the guy who is driving a well-worn but clean Jeep by way of his daughter ... who is $20 richer.

D. Ditzhazy, ECD

The Scrolls of Success

2010-05-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

I am re-reading an oldie and another favorite, "The Greatest Salesman in the World" by Og Mandino. Don't let the name misguide you. The treasures found in this gem of a book apply to any profession -- and more importantly to any professional seeking to b the BEST at what they do.

And why would you NOT want to be the best?

Here are the seven lessons which will stay with me forever:

The Scrolls:
1. Today I will Begin Life ... a New.
2. I will greet this day with love in my heart
3. I will persist until I succeed
4. I am nature's greatest miracle
5. I will leave this day as if it were my last
6. Today I will be the master of my emotions
7. I will laugh at the world
8. Today I will increase my value in the world 100 fold
9. I will act ... NOW
10. I will pray for guidance, not for things or desires

Four Ways to Move From Procrastination to Productivity.

2010-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Procrastination hits even the most efficient professional from time to time. In the agency business, which is a 15 second business where every minute counts, time is even more precious. In fact, we’ve found that it takes more discipline to leave on time each day than it does to stay to complete projects.

Productivity is in. With it ... You lead a more balanced personal and professional life. Without it, burnout. Here are four ways we’ve noticed teams can move from the dreaded deadline to powerful productiity.

1. Identify and understand the types of procrastination behaviors that can control your actions. Knowing the behavior and the signs can give you redirection clues.
2. Change your state. There are practical ways you can do this. At RMD, we pick up laptops and change our environment, walk over to someone instead of itercoming them with a question, drink some energy water, etc.
3. Break It down. Taking big tasks (or even taks that have become bigger in your midn) and breaking them into doable chunks makes everything possible, and has a way of increasing your energy by virtule of just starting a difficult process.
4. Move past indiciation to decisions more quickly. Part of ledership involves the ability to make swift and accurate decisions. But tht takes practice, and there’s no time like today to begin.

Tony's Top 10 Lessons

2010-05-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I admit it. I'm a fan of Tony Robbins. What I've learned from him over the years is magical, but it can all be summarized into one general concept for me: State Management.

I recently stumbled on Tony's Top 10 Lessons. Have at it ... how are you doing this week? -- SR

1. YOUR POTENTIAL IS DETERMINED (OR LIMITED) BY YOUR SELF-BELIEF. "The only thing that's keeping you from getting what you want is the story you keep telling yourself".

2. MOST PEOPLE HAVE SELF-DOUBT AROUND UNIVERSAL THEMES.

3. YOU CAN LEARN MECHANISMS TO ELIMINATE SELF-DOUBT. "Progress is not automatic".

4. BELIEF IMPACTS ON MANY LEVELS. 3 things shape our self-belief: patterns of physiology, focus and language or meaning. "Where focus goes energy flows".

5. OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS SHAPE OUR ACTIONS. Eliminate negative self-belief and take massive action are keys to success.

6. TO CREATE POSITIVE OUTCOMES YOU MUST TAKE MASSIVE ACTION. Take action, even if it is the wrong action. "It is never a failure if you learn something".

7. MATCHING & MIRRORING CREATES CONNECTION, TRUST & EMPATHY. In essence, you create rapport by adopting the body language of the person you are communicating with. Rapport is power and total responsiveness is created by a feeling of commonality."

8. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU FOCUS ON PASSION AND PURPOSE. "To have an extraordinary quality of life you need two skills: the science of achievement and the art of fulfilment. Success without fulfilment is failure."

9. MODEL YOURSELF ON OTHER ACHIEVERS. "People's lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group."

10. SUCCESS IS BUILT ON A HEALTHY, HIGH ENERGY BODY, HEART AND MIND. "If you are not healthy - all of the above points are a waste of time."

10 SMART things you need to know about the advertising biz

2010-04-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

On Friday April 23rd, CNBC reported on “America’s Most Stressful Jobs” as polled by Careercast.com

A PR officer and an advertising account executive were ranked in the top ten.
Even though the stress level is high, the rewards are even higher. I think it’s incredible!
At a recent career workshop for OSU and the Advertising Federation, I shared the following things everyone MUST know about this crazy, fun, business

15 second biz
You are only as good as yesterday’s work
There’s no trying only succeeding
You have to be smart
You have to be real
Integrity of Work (Ethics)
Figure out your own brand, and live it
An agency is always a team and if you can’t play on a team don’t work for an agency
Read! (industry trades) And write every day. Read to learn and absorb the tone. You must be a naturally inquisitive person.
Listen with a head heart connection (LISTEN!)

What else would you like to know about the business? Ask
- KP

The Crazy World of Social Media

2010-04-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

I love the challenge of navigating around the spammers and just plain bad marketers coming to Twitter and Facebook in droves! First of all, no one (hopefully) believes they are one retweet away from earning $4,000, so please give it a rest!

Social media was once (and for many, still is) a glimmer in marketing professionals’ eyes… a place where you’re a single click away from finding your ideal customer… a place where all of your dreams come true. However, that faint glimmer soon ignited into a raging fire!

Many marketers packed their bag of questionable ideas and jumped the social media bandwagon, the type who think that the best way to sell their product is to blast people in the face with it (repeatedly)! They saw the social media world as nothing more than a giant free commercial break.

However, there is hope! Many very successful companies are taking social media to the next level… they actually get it. Companies like Dell, Zappos, General Motors even smaller companies like Bil-Jac and Allens Vegetables understand that social media should be used to convey transparency, join conversations, get customer feedback and most importantly to interact with and learn from their consumers.

It’s no secret that in today’s economy there is not really an abundance of consumer confidence, which will of course turn back around in due time. However, until then social media can be a wonderful way for companies to earn that confidence back and prove to people that there’s more to the company than just suits in the executive suite pushing product.

And eventually the people who just don’t get it will be forced out!

Lastly, I give you three very simple rules to live by in the crazy social media world:

1. Be yourself.

2. Challenge your followers.

3. Entertain!

-LB

My Job is SO Hard...

2010-03-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

So what? Isn’t everyone’s? Isn’t is a part of human nature to love a challenge? To want to be the best, at something, anything! And, why not make it your job?! Sure I have days, just like anyone does, where I think....oh I would love to stay home today...there is SO much I need/want to do here. But, by the time I leave RMD at the end of the day, I am so glad I was there!

Each day, I learn something new and teach something new. I have a passion for each of my client’s and the business they do everyday! (it doesn’t hurt that most of the businesses involve food too!) I get a kick out of stretching my brain, and learning from my clients and colleagues. After all what fun is a job ... when you think of it as work.

I can hear the cynics already. If I sound a little too peppy, that’s always been a part of who I am. Still, I’m thankful for the opportunity to live my life to the fullest every day.

Spring is here...and by golly I HAVE a job. Hug your boss today, tell her thanks for the challenges you get to overcome, hug your clients and thank them for sticking with you through thick and thin. Hug your co-workers and say I’m so glad we’re in this together!

It’s a brand new day. Make it a great one!

Building Better Communities

2010-02-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

Today's lesson comes from "A Purpose Driven Life." But it also comes from experiences I've had within our team at RMD this week. Some believe that all success begins and ends with Leadership. I think Leadership is important, but I think community is even more important.

The author tells us that in the quest to build strong communities ... in our family, in our workplace, in our places of worship, etc. ... too many are afraid. Afraid of honesty. I support this thinking 100%.

Did you know that people value frankness over compliments? Still, frankness doesn't grant us a "get out of jail free card" for rudeness. Frankness requires the right time, and the right way. It also requires leadership to have a zero tolerance policy for gossip.

Building a strong community also requires a great deal of humility. Humility moves and smoothes relationship. What is humility? Here's one of the best definitions I've seen: "It's not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of your self less." Brilliant!

As I mentioned, this week at RMD, our typically strong, unshakable community of professionals began to "fall off the bus" as we call it. But we quickly reboarded. By fostering a series of very open and honest conversations, we were able to rebuild our strong sense of community. Fellowship. It really is a wonderful thing.

Here are the 9 characteristics of strong communities. Consider it your team's covenant:

1. Authenticity. Share true feelings.

2. Mutuality. Encourage each other.

3. Mercy. Forgive each other.

4. Humility. Admit your weaknesses.

5. Sympathy. Support each other.

6. Honesty. Speak the truth to each other.

7. Courtesy. Respect differences.

8. Confidentiality. We will not gossip.

9. Frequency. Make your group a priority.

Steering Thoughts

2010-02-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

So I started a new book this past weekend (my fourth of 50!). Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude was written SEVERAL years ago. But it's a classic.

As I listen to the book, I realize that of the food brands we work, those which succeed to the greatest degree are the same organizations that BELIEVE in their brands, their companies, and in RMD. When everything is in sync, it's a magical thing.

In the first chapter, the author talks about Henry Ford's ability to develop the V8 engine, despite the fact that no one -- critics, family, customers or investors -- believed he could. But he believed. He never gave up. And in the end, he did create the V8 (of course). What happened to that attitude in the automobile industry? As a Detroit girl, I wonder.

But for now, in my PMA state ... I too believe in RMD and in the achievement of my big, hairy goals for 2010. The book has offered me some thoughts to steer by. I believe they'll work for you too:

I am the most important person in my success.
A negative mental attitude (NMA) robs you. PMA gives to you.
Don't blame God for any lack of success.
Read inspirational books every day (I'll attest to this one, for sure!)
Every adversity has the seed of opportunity. You simply need to think through it.
Accept love of work (Passion, in fact, I think ...) as a gift.
Never underestimate the repellant power of a negative thought.
Profit by disappointment by developing "inspirational dissatisfaction". Use the next day to catapult yourself
Acquire the impossible through a PMA.
Don't let a NMA label you as a "has been". (In fact, that's what happens if you're not thinking of the future, creating the future ... and remaining relevant, isn't it?)

To a powerfully smart 2010,

The Decided Heart

2010-01-20T11:44:00.002-08:00

Today, I read about the importance of persistence. Not an unusual concept, for sure -- but an important one. What I DID learn today is that to persist isn't enough ... you need to persist without exception. And the exception part is the part that most forget.

Persistence is a habit. And so is quitting.

Persistence does open doors -- and according to my author today, a life you've never even dreamed of. I can attest to this. I've often commented that I live a charmed life. Maybe it's a persistent life (and I do persist more than anyone I know!)

One more thing: Andrews also comments that the rewards for persisting are great -- and the tougher the challenge, the bigger the reward. Seth Godin comments on this in The Dip -- saying "the dip" is a natural law that keeps the inadequate out, and the best of the best in. Lean into it I often tell my children.

Andrew poses this mental challenge: the next time you think about giving up, ask yourself ... "if you KNEW the next step, what would you do? Act, of course! So find the next idea. Act! When hitting the wall, it's really never money or even time that you need to push through, but an idea. And that, my friend, you likely already have at your disposal. Just think.

The One Thing That Holds Us All Back ...

2010-01-12T05:29:00.000-08:00

What is the one thing that holds everyone back at some time in their life? According to The Seven Decisions ... it's limiting beliefs. But where do limiting beliefs come from? Answer: The babbling of those who can't help us nor harm us. Accordingly, these are the ramblings that should simply be ignored.

Even Oprah and Mother Theresa have critics. So the question begs ... who are we to be exempt? Knowing whose voice to listen to and whose to ignore is a critical step in the decided heart.

Overcoming limiting beliefs is as easy as looking into history for examples of other's work that has once been criticized. It's fascinating.

The Diary of Anne Frank was originally rejected. Several times over.
The Wendy's advertising account was turned away from the first agency approached. They didn't believe the concept would amount to much.
Dr. Seuss' book: "Oh the things that I saw on Mulberry Street" was judged by publisher after publisher to fail.
RMD, nearly a decade and a half ago, received a letter from an Art Director, declining a position with us, due to the fact that we would "never amount to anything." I still have this letter. It reminds me that the spoken word isn't always true. Last year, we achieved record growth and revenue -- even in light of the troubled economy. We grew 41% and posted 14 new accounts to our roster of clients.

Limiting beliefs are always loaded with fear. For me, remembering that fear is simply the absence of faith helps. What have you lost faith in?

The 30 Day Early to Rise Challenge

2010-01-07T09:34:00.000-08:00

Today's read quoted a few of my favorite quotes and thoughts from a powerhouse leader: Thomas Jefferson (depicted here. What a handsome fellow!)

"Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise."

and

"I am a firm believer in luck. The more I act, the more I have of it."

In "Mastering the 7 Decisions", Andrews supports rising early, before the rest of the world or even the sun do. I do too, as I've seen astonishing benefits and resources come out of this habit. Andrews sees this time as a doorway to new and creative ideas. I concur.

Again, because of my (positively) addictive behavior, I'm a sucker for challenges. So I'm going to take Andrews up on his "30 Day Early to Rise" challenge. So are many RMDers ... and I'll ask some of these RMDers to blog their findings. Here's how it works. Will you join us?

Step 1: Wake up before the rest of the world for 30 days.

Step 2: Take the time to brainstorm 20 ideas that you can do, big and small, that will improve your world (any part of it). Make the list quickly. Don't judge or evaluate. Simply brainstorm and write.

Step 3: Select 5 of those ideas to act upon THAT DAY. At the end of 30 days, you are promised 150 actionable ideas ... and a pathway through a new creative door that will revolutionize the quality of your life. Wow!

Seven Decisions That Will Make A BIG Impact

2010-01-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

In Andy Andrew's Book, Mastering the Seven Decisions, Andy outlines seven distinct choices that have been consciously made by hundreds of successful "icons" over several decades -- from Abraham Lincoln to Oprah Winfrey.

I'm a lists person, so I was hooked right away.

The responsible decision. This involves knowing that I am responsible for me and all I have, all I receive.
The guided decision. Seek wisdom from those who have wisdom you don't necessarily have. Leaders seek out other leaders.
The active decision. I love this one particularly, and have seen it work first hand at RMD. Success is directly related to action. Leaders are always on the run, always moving, never stopping -- and never afraid to make decision ... or mistakes. Try it at home. The next time an environment feels stagnant, get up and move. Be active. Watch the influence it has on others.
The decided heart decision. I will set my own course, beginning today.
The joyful decision. Make the decision to be happy, fulfilled and joyful. "I will be happy." It's fascinating what happens when you choose happiness. Amazing. Andrews bold states that if you're not happy now, it's your own choice ... not the consequence of a situation or of others. It belongs to you.
The compassionate decision. Greet each day with a giving spirit. Give kindness. Open doors for others. Give a smile. Give up your seat and stand so others can sit. Let someone in during traffic. Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger.
The persistent decision. The only real evidence of success is persistent attempts. And, too often, fear holds us back from action. Real failure only exists for those who quit. RMD never quits. And in the end, throughout history, we have all become smitten with those athletes, leaders and heros who persist at all costs -- not necessarily the best, the biggest or the winner.

Do you embody the Seven Decisions?

SR, Client Brand Strategy

Lessons from 50 Classics

2010-01-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

I once learned that solving problems is all about asking the right questions. I believe this is true. Ask yourself a better question, and get a better answer.

I've been struggling with my ability to make a consistent and meaningful contribution to RMD's blog. So I asked a better question. "What can I continually blog about that will serve to inspire others while sharing some insight into our unique culture. Then, I was struck with the answer while watching a DVD of "Julie & Julia" recently at home.

I love to "read" books on tape. I often have at least six books going at once -- and listen every day on my 40 minute drive to work. Add it up -- 18 years at RMD, 40 hours a day. Do the math. That's a lot of books. In Julie & Julia, the author blogs her way through the Julia Child's cookbook. I'm going to challenge myself in 2010 to blog my way through 50 books. can I do it?

365 days

50 books

A study in leadership, advertising, business and inspiration

Will you follow me? Right now, I'm reading Mastering the Seven Decisions, The Think Big Manifesto (again), 5 Temptations of a CEO (again), The Secret (again), Escape from Cubicle Nation, In Search of the Obvious and A Purpose Driven Life.

Here I go ...

SR, Client Brand Strategy

Gobble Gobble!

2009-11-19T09:29:00.000-08:00

Only a week left until Thanksgiving. Next week the office is having a Thanksgiving feast and we all have to bring in a dish, which contains a product from one of our clients. I hope no one includes a product from Bil-Jac unless it is for Boone! Don’t forget your furry best friend this year and let them dine on some tasty Bil-Jac dog treats.

I am making a Fire Roasted Mediterranean Salad, a recipe from Dei Fratelli. While you are browsing some of their many delicious recipes, submit your own in the Ripened Recipe Contest by November 30^th. Winners will receive free Dei Fratelli products for a year!

I’ve been doing a lot of proof reading lately, which I consider an enjoyable and very important job. At least two pairs of eyes need to scrutinize each posting, news release, web site update, and many other things that will be available for the public to view. I think I’m very meticulous when it comes to tasks like this and I have even learned a thing or two, like the work ‘stet’ which indicates that a letter, word, or other matter marked for omission or correction is to be retained. I have learned a lot of new things during my time at the internship and all have been valuable experiences that I look forward to using in the future.

This just in… why do some insist on playing holiday music before Thanksgiving? I would be okay with it, if it started the first of December. I mean there are even holiday lights up now! Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the holidays but 40 days of holiday music is just too much. I should probably take that last comment out so I don’t come off as a Grinch… but on the other hand, maybe I should stet that.

Keep up the good work!

2009-11-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

There are only a few more weeks left for the interns at RMD. I think we are finally learning how to work smart at the agency and get things done efficiently. We continue to work on long-term projects but get new tasks as well, which keep the days interesting and busy!

Klosterman Bread has just announced a new Family Secret Recipe Contest they are holding with three categories; Mom’s Legendary Stuffing, Heart & Light Breakfast Delights and Sandwiches For All Seasons. Submit your favorite recipe today and you could win free Klosterman bread for a year!

The holidays are creeping up on us and I think its put a cooking spirit into the office. I had to cook up a green bean casserole for a recipe feature in one of our client’s e-newsletters. It’s also time for us to start thinking about what to bring to the annual Thanksgiving potluck! Read about each of our most memorable Thanksgivings on our bio pages.

The office plans on participating in the Flying Feather race on November 26^thin Dublin. It’s a four miler and all adult participants will receive a bottle of wine! It’s not too late to register. There is still a lot to do today so until next time, Adios!

And the days keep on rollin’

2009-10-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Boone, the office dog, has been asking for a lot of treats today. Her best friend is Stephen, maybe it’s because he has a bowl of dog biscuits at his desk! Yeah, she has an easy life as the Director of Stress Management. Take some time to read more about her likes and dislikes!

It’s the last week for our full-time interns and we’re sad to see them go! I got a chance to ask Stephen a few questions about his time with RMD!

Q: How did the internship meet your initial expectations?

A: It went above and beyond my expectations. I was able to learn more about advertising in six weeks, than I did four years in college.

Q: What was your favorite project during this internship?

A: I came up with a Facebook contest for one of our clients. I enjoyed it most because I was able to express my creativity.

Q: What’s one thing you’re going to miss?

A: The 80’s music and Boone always asking for treats.

Things have been really busy around here lately and there’s never a dull moment! With only three interns now, our workload is sure to increase, but I know we’re all up to the challenge. Everyday the team at RMD exudes the buzzwords that our work culture is based on: Sharp, Passionate, Creative, Smart, & Problem Solving. Everyone feels that they are more adept at one of those words, so if someone is lacking a little creativity for the day, or is having trouble solving a problem, there is always another team member we can go to, to get our Mojo flowing again. With such a dynamic team, RMD is able to do great work and get results!

Come out Virginia ...

2009-10-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to my daughter’s Symphonic Band Concert’s tribute to Billy Joel. As I drifted off in thought between Just The Way You Are and Only the Good Die Young (yes, you are correct, the lyrics are about teenage sex) I wondered what Mr. Joel would say to a bunch of high school kids turning some of his classics into glorified elevator music. I think he would enjoy it. Something he created so many years ago turned into another form of musical entertainment – a legacy of sorts. Years ago I found a tiny dot of my own honor from a “fan”. Now, this is in no way close to a multimillion album/CD selling recording artist’s trials and tribulations, but it does happen to the Common Joe. While at a AMA luncheon, I had a guy recite word-for-word a Panera Bread radio spot I had written and directed. As he enthusiastically mimicked both the male and female voiceover parts, I was flattered (as well as a bit uncomfortable) that he found it so entertaining and took the time to tell me so. So much of what we do day-to-day is behind the scenes, we really don’t get a chance to truly interact with the guy on the street. Yes, we research, do focus groups, build strategies and are very smart for our clients. But nothing beats an unprompted recital of your work in front of a table full of strangers. Because as Billy Joel sings, “... we’re all in the mood for a melody and you got us feelin’ alright.”

- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

Welcome back to the blogosphere

2009-10-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Well friends, week six is under way here and everyone is busy. I have been working on increasing awareness for the Panera Bread Pink Ribbon Bagel Campaign. We have been encouraging local celebrities and public figures to decorate quilt squares to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Panera is selling pink ribbon bagels the entire month of October and a portion of all proceeds will benefit breast cancer charities. Be sure to stop by your local Panera Bread and buy a few bagels today to support this great cause!

True Life: I'm an RMD Intern

2009-10-01T08:18:00.000-07:00

RMD has successfully transitioned in five new interns to the team, who have brought fresh ideas and an eagerness to learn. The team also welcomed Luke, the new Junior Copywriter. Be sure to read our bios on RMDs Team Page! It’s already week three, the halfway point for two full-time interns, and they’ve gone by fast. We have plenty of work to do and new skills to learn everyday. We all know the 80’s music XM plays everyday by heart, my personal favorite is Weird Science. With the music and frivolous typing as the daily office sound track, we have learned how to track media hits for our clients, been able to sit in on phone meetings and get a peek into the exciting world of an advertising agency.

Social Media Club Columbus kicked off with a Tweet Up at Oktoberfest. Members participated in the inaugural road race and later were there to talk about everything the club has to offer the professional community in central Ohio. Membership is free! Be sure to visit the website to learn more about the club and RSVP to the Unmeeting on October 27th. Pictured are just a few members of SMC after running the race.

I have also watched a lot of activity around the ¿Qué hay de cena? recipe contest. You should check out the recipe contest for Rudolph Foods, to learn more and send in your favorite recipe that uses Chicharrones, pork rinds or cracklins. You have until October 30th to submit your recipe!

On the Fringe of Twitter?

2009-09-04T11:12:00.000-07:00

We’ve all have seen Twitter creeping more and more into our lives. From following the local TV news for serious informational updates throughout the day to the just-for-fun tweets from the likes of Bil-Jac dog food. But a funny thing happened on the way to watching The Fringe last night. Twitter invaded my TV screen with live tweets during the show. Now granted, The Fringe isn't my normal gotta-watch-tonight TV shows. In fact, this was the first time. The few TV shows I put an effort toward watching? Lie to Me (for the quasi-truisms of catching someone in a lie) and Wipeout (hell, it’s just funny to see people well, as the name implies, wipeout).

There were two points that I found intriguing. Point one: it was interesting to see how social media stepped deeper into the main stream media by combining the two mediums. Sort of like when Grandpa sits down with Grandson. They respect each other, but secretly feel each other is better. Point two: It was an unique way for the creators of the TV show to interact with their audience. For the audience to feel part of the show and to have their voice heard. Because when it comes down to it, we all want to be heard – sometimes in 140 characters or less.

- D. Ditzhazy, ECD

That Feeling In Your Gut Isn't Food Poisoning ...

2009-08-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

We work with a lot of growing and emerging food brands -- from products you find in the grocery aisle, to restaurants and food service/manufacturing brands. Sometimes, you run across a brand and develop a strategy for further building that brand (e.g. growing sales) that just feels so right. The strategy "locks in". It's an exciting pit in your stomach.

I've found that the brands that stick aren't just cool brands, but products that a) meet a need and b) make a consumer go ... "wow!" That wow factor comes from a lot of things: emotional ties, delectable flavor, needs that were previously unmet, and so on.

Is it possible to bring a product to market today that's a "Me-Too?" Yes, but the sticking power is slim. Traditional brand studies demonstrate that the spend to elevate awareness of these products over the existing competitor brand is at least twice as much for nearly two years -- minimum.

I found this article in Women's Day interesting. Looking at these popular brands that flopped, you can see why. Too much cool and not enough substance. In other words, no long-term need was met.

It's a gut check. Passion for the brand + problem solving + cool is a sure-fire equation for success. Think iPhone.

Opening Doors to New Possibilities

2009-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

It’s nearing the end an era for RMD’s summer interns. The lights are dimming and there’s the signal for last call. And yet there remains so much to do, in so little time. Social Media Club Columbus still needs some great ideas for a Tweetup event, Bil-Jac’s social media audit isn’t going to update itself and Hill Partners, Inc. needs a news release announcing the new restaurant to join their property at The Town Center at Levis Commons. And I must not forget to make coffee.

Altogether, the experience has been challenging, enlightening and tough, but fair. If it’s one thing that I walk away from the RMD experience with is that it’s properly prepared me for the real world and made me determined to meet any demand. I’m in the entrance hall to a mansion of doors and endless possibilities and RMD has equipped me with a master key to open every door and a toolbox to carve out my own opening, in the event that I don’t find one to suit.

Drawing from a Well of Creativity

2009-07-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

Here at RMD Headquarters, our work is the product of a marriage between logic and creativity. While my day to day tasks among the Account Executives, require a considerable amount of logical thinking on my part, there is a fair amount of creative “finagling” involved in even the most mundane internet research assignments.

At any point in the day, we are all required to dig deep and come up with a new idea, a new angle or even a new pitch. Digging deep for an innovative media pitch for the Panera Bread Poker Run, announce Bil-Jac’s new packaging or even contribute to virtual brainstorms for Rudolph Foods/Pepe’s Brand Hispanic Awareness Month Recipe Contest is just another day at the job.

All of the creativity continuously buzzing around the RMD atmosphere has me wondering, where do they all get it from? Is there an everlasting well of creativity that they draw from? Kind of like the wishing well but for creativity. Since my arrival here, I find that I’ve been exercising my creative chops a lot more and they’ve become much more responsive. Maybe it’s something in the water....I’ll have look into it.

Lessons from THE Leader

2009-07-22T06:15:00.001-07:00

I love David Ogilvy. Note that I could have referenced him in the past tense, as he's now been deceased for a decade. But he's the original AdMan, in my opinion, whose impact continues to inspire, motivate and move advertising agency guns to better performance and smarter thinking.

Just Google his quotes, and you'll get a quick snapshot of the man behind the agency.

I have very few regrets in life. Not meeting this man was definitely one of them. On my shelves in my office is an 8x12 of him. Smart, witty and colorful, he simply wanted to be remembered as a copywriter who had a few really great ideas.

My regret for not meeting this adman was further intensified today with an article from CNN/Fortune. His 10 tips for success were written about the agency biz, but are relevant for all businesses. And what a gift! The editor retained a hand-written note.

Enjoy the article. Be passionate about what YOU do.

Week 6: The Importance of Media Attention

2009-07-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

As I remember the anticipation I when I began my internship at RMD, I realize that I am quickly approaching my seventh week as an SPC. Time is going by so quickly. During the past couple weeks I have spent a lot of time updating editorial calendars for companies such as Anomatic, Henny Penny and Rudolph Foods. Updating editorial calendars allows me to work in sync with the RMD Public Relations team to get clients in the media spotlight. I’ve learned that targeted media pitching is extremely important to the success of our clients’ Public Relations strategies.

I am in anticipation of my first media pitch and ringing the gong for the first time. After the gong is rung I would proceed to log the confirmed media pitches into a tracker, which is checked frequently and presented to clients on a regular basis. It is exciting when I review the tracker, search for articles on the web, and find an array of stories about RMD’s clients. This week I found pictures of our own Lesley Waldsmith at the Pork Rind Festival for Rudolph Foods.

In previous weeks I have worked on several tasks that seem to go by quickly. The more recent tasks I have been given, such as editorial calendars and trackers, are on-going projects that take more time to complete. The change in my weekly tasks shows me that the quantity of tasks that are completed are not what is important. What is important is ensuring that each task, big or small, is completed with the utmost quality.

The Success of Failures

2009-07-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

This week, I'm reading Brian Tracy's "fight plan". It's a simple book really, that is doing a good job of refocusing me on some important fundamentals. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the newest, the latest, the greatest, the most innovative. At RMD, we know that remembering what NOT to forget is sometimes just as important in the advertising agency business.

There's a small part in this book about failures, and the importance of learning from them. Without learning, they're simply mistakes. The questions you ask makes the transition:

1. What did I learn about people in this situation?

2. What did I learn about finances, economies, decision-making or another business discipline?

3. How would I approach that matter differently, next time?

4. What did I learn about the market?

5. What did I learn about the power of influence, inspiration and suggestion?

A short thought process catapults learning. A short journaling exercise cements the learning by 20% or more. Sharing this creative logic with another or a group embeds it up to 80% more. And experience puts any professional in high demand.

Week 5: It’s All About the Attitude

2009-07-21T06:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I don’t know about jumping out of a plane – I might not have the will power to let go at the very last moment. But that was the general idea behind joining the RMD team for 12 weeks. Everyday, each new task presents that moment at the door of the plane – will you consider that leap a great fall or an opportunity to fly.

When I first arrived here, half the lingo and almost all of the tasks left my head spinning from the moment the task sheet met my hand each morning – social media audits, media impression trackers, writing pitches, conceiving ninety new tweets. Suddenly it seems to get unbearably hot in the room. Five weeks later, I can say I confidently wrapped up a news release announcing Charley’s Grilled Subs new brand initiatives, updated the Bil-Jac Social Media Audit, and compiled a list of new radio and podcast opportunities without breaking a sweat. And I realized it was all about my attitude. Defeatist attitudes produce defeated work, while positive persistence pays off. That’s the big mantra around here. So I’ve leapt off the plane, and currently feel that the weather is good for another seven weeks of flying.

From Christi Lue - Special Projects Coordinator

Week 4: Preparation is Key

2009-07-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

If ever I had the nerve to jump out of a plane, first I would ensure that my parachute was packed correctly and would open on time. Second, I would make sure that the plane I was going to jump out of was entirely safe. Third, I would check my straps to make sure they were fastened correctly. Working at RMD has proven to me that every task needs some sort of preparation.

This week has included various new tasks. I reviewed web statistics and developed a report for Dei Fratelli’s website and e-newsletter, which are well above the national average. Through this, I learned that preparation is in the details. This report provides knowledge of how the consumer interacts with the website, which then tells us how we can better communicate to fit their needs. I also researched advertising avenues for Charley’s Grilled Subs. I’ve learned that if I follow the guidelines of successful advertising, I can use those basics to create a whole new idea. It takes a team effort and a plan to create a successful advertising campaign. I’ve realized that as long as those principles stay in place, the wheel will work. Preparation an important factor for success – in life and on the job.

Week 2 and Growing

2009-06-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

RMD is the model for organization. No matter how much is coming in or going out, everything is organized to a “T”. Watching co-workers that are organized in their thoughts and actions every step of the way is extremely motivating. To be organized in life and business is true success. I’ve learned that the more organized I am, the more I can accomplish. Peter F. Drucker: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

Culture. It's a beautiful thing.

2009-06-30T11:43:00.000-07:00

This week, I'm working remotely from D.C. -- one of my very favorite cities. It's not only rich in history, but rich in culture, too. Real culture.

Cities like San Antonio, Memphis and Birmingham are all favorites of mine, too -- because they're truly authentic. You can hear, smell and see the culture from the moment you get up, to the moment you close your eyes.

Culture is something most companies spend a lifetime trying to build. If it's authentic, however, like the great cities, it happens more naturally. Today, at RMD, we do have a strong culture. It took us nearly a decade to build it, but it's real.

In a collaborative exercise, the following were offered up as "Things We're Grateful For At RMD." Reading the list, you'll feel out culture. With some of the items, you'll need to read between the lines, but you get the gest. Hope you enjoy it.

Things we're grateful for at RMD

1) for a strong/sustainable business

2) for our niche in food

3) or an "A" team

4) for summer days and patio work

5) for the ability to listen to motivation every morning

6) for RMD's running club

7) for production meetings that keep up on track

8) for new business

9) for a new account yesterday

10) for SMC Columbus!

11) for the gong

12) for wireless internet (sitting with lesley in the conf. room!)

13) for mojo

14) for client's charitable campaigns

15) for a new challenge every day

16) for a strong team

17) for Twitter and the social media boom

18) for SPCs (our interns)

19) for coffee

20) for Sue's Thought of the Day

21) for Angela's PR Tip of the Day

22) for the media pitch team

23) for client Facebook fans & Twitter followers

22) For Jiving (for new business)

23) forYammer!

24) Mojo Fridays

25) Boone!

26)Pitch meetings

27) Pitch parties!

28) Iced coffees in the afternoons

29) Brown Bag lunches

30) Mojo meetings

31) for Holidays and vacations

32) smart team members

33) hard working days

34) relaxing nights

35) for paychecks

36) smart clients

37) invoices

38) God

39) Mac's

40) Giveaways from the prize closet

41) RMD smile awards

42) hair dye

43) Sugar free popscicles

44) Carb-free pork rinds

45) The fact that dogs can't open doors to the kitchen

46) Web-standards

47) Adobe

48) PCs, which (some believe) are better than macs in every way

49) Staplers, without which modern business could not operate

50) Physics, unraveling reality one Higgs boson at a time

51) team members I can trust

52) the ability to run, at times, at 4 pm

53) an abundance of work

54) a mind that doesn't stop

55) That I can bring my puppy to work

56) Tony Robbins

57) The Secret

58) audible.com

59) energy!

60) a balanced life

61) my professional experience

62) the experiences I have every day

63) RMD's "ring leader"

64) clients that need us

65) clients that confide in us

66) 100 jives a week!

67) a three up account team 73

68) ice cubes for iced coffee

69) every day i LEARN

70) That it's OK to be on Twitter at work

71) That being Facebook savvy is considered a necessary skill

72) The philosophy: being uncomfortable means you're getting somewhere BIG

73) Tuesday morning Mashups!

74)Windows!

75) Hot Dog Friday!

76) funny powered creamer

77) a parking lot 8

78) attitudes of gratitude

79) professional best Thursdays

80) the greek restaurant

81) progressive minded leaders

82) That I love coming to work

83) having a career at RMD, not just a job

84) always raising the bar

85) 75 hits every week!

86)growing, even when it hurts

87)team buildings

88) beers with the team on Fridays!

89) the vision board

90)winning so many great awards this year

91) winning Best of Show at the PRism awards

92) Making lists of great things that happened when team members are on vacation

93) RMD!

A NEW EXPERIENCE

2009-06-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hustling…bustling…phones ringing…gongs sounding. My first week at RMD was full of melodious office harmonies. The intrigue of a group of such fascinating, distinct and creative minds has been a fantastic experience.

I’ve had the opportunity to travel the country and meet many fascinating people, but just when you think you’ve met them all and seen it all, something new comes to the forefront and surprises you. This week’s blog is a plea to all those who have felt the same, that they could see nor learn more in their lifetime, life is full of possibilities and there is always a new experience around the corner.

SPC Experience, thus far

2009-06-10T10:13:00.000-07:00

As the weather heats up, cooling down with an iced coffee seems to be the trend around the office. (Especially, later in the afternoon when the sun warms the building.)
I am learning and growing constantly with my experience at RMD. This past week was exciting for me in so many ways. My eight-week journey will have met and exceeded all expectations. In my sixth week, I was introduced to pitching to the media and received my first two “hits” and swings at the gong. I have been conducting research for various upcoming pitches within the agency, in addition to transcribing interviews for Dei Fratelli. Transcriptions can be a laborious task but, if you actually listen to the recording then you can learn a lot about the client. I learned that tomatoes are not the easiest vegetable to grow, you can plant 10 times more corn than tomatoes with one planter. I also learned more about Dei Fratelli’s products and the importance of their tomatoes being locally grown to provide the freshest product possible.
In between keeping busy with tasks while my work is being reviewed, I have developed skills in accepting and completing “hot” tasks that come my way. Being given a wide variety of tasks was one of goals for my internship. The constant interaction and high energy has no doubt helped to improve these multi-tasking skills.

Avocados ... the REAL green food

2009-06-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Avocados. Man that’s a weird word isn’t it? Where does that word come from? Well I have your answer.

The original name is ?huacatl, pronounched Ah-huah-ca’tl introduced to the Spanish by Native Americans (the word ahuacatle meant testical, because of the shape of the fruit). The Spanish, unable to pronounce it, changed the word to Aguacate, which was a Spanish word for lawyer (go figure). Eventually it found its way to Ye Olde English and became Avocado.

... And now you know!

-- ZFang, Assoc. Art Director

5 Ways to Say Thank You to a Teacher

2009-05-04T12:53:00.000-07:00

Gratitude is one of the most important virtues in life. And, in reality, we're all teachers in one way or another, aren't we? In celebration of National Teacher's Appreciation Week, here's our top 5 ideas on easy, simple ways to show your gratitude.

1. Send a personal, handwritten note to school with your child. Not an email, the old fashioned kind.

2. Make a pledge to your child's teacher to keep your child engaged during the summer months. Did you know that a child can lose more than 2.5 months of learning during the summer?

3. Be a Media Guru. Write a letter about the teacher, and submit it to the editor of a local newspaper. Be sure to copy the teacher, in the event that the article can't make it to press!

4. Take 10 more minutes one morning and thank him/her. Make it personal and face to face.

5. Make the final weeks great. Commit to making the final weeks the best weeks for your child -- and your teacher. For this is the gift that truly keeps on giving.

SPC Week 5

2009-04-30T11:04:00.001-07:00

It’s week five of my virtual internship and I am back to being virtual. Visiting last week really helped me. Knowing what happens every day in the office and meeting everyone makes my virtual time a little easier. This week I noticed that the transition back to online communication from being in the office presented a challenge. I realized it’s something I can work to improve.

I read an article on Monster.com about how managers should work with remote employees (they didn’t have one for virtual workers) and it made me think about how I can communicate more effectively from far away. There’s a lot we take for granted in face-to-face communication that disappears in the online world. In my college communication courses, I learned that online communication lacks visual cues as well as vocal intonation, and that the process goes more slowly.

Still, many people work virtually, and there has to be a way to work around the barriers of communicating over the internet. I’ve decided to ask more specific questions instead of just more questions, summarize more to be clear on expectations, and try to learn from each misunderstanding. It’s something I will have to focus on but I’m excited about improving my communication style and learning to work better virtually.

SPC Week 4

2009-04-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

This was certainly a busy week at RMD and I got the full in-house experience. There’s so much I’ve been missing out on as a virtual intern as far as everything that goes on each day including putting in extra time, answering the phone, taking extra tasks as they come up and, of course, meeting everyone at the agency!

I definitely got the real-life experience, and making mistakes is part of that. Now I know to avoid those mistakes and can learn from them. Between fighting with computers and my own anxieties of being in a new place, I made my fair share of gaffes, small and large. I’m glad to be taking these experiences home with me as I continue my internship virtually. It will help to know how people are situated in the office, what they generally do, and why they are always super busy! Being in the office has also helped me learn more about managing expectations, company protocols, the importance of brand, and professionalism in general.

I enjoyed meeting everyone and putting faces to names. It was great to learn about the clients and RMD’s own brand on a more personal level. My experiences this week added depth to my perspective of advertising agencies and especially RMD. I’m looking forward to continuing my learning and growth with RMD and I hope I can visit again!

Detroit's Secret Weapon

2009-04-16T06:48:00.001-07:00

I was in Detroit yesterday, meeting with a beloved, emerging food brand. I wasn't in the cultural area of Detroit. And I wasn't in the famed RenCen or Downtown Detroit, either. I was in DE-troit.

Fancying myself a Detroit girl, still, it made my heart proud to be back in Michigan, actually.

Here's what I learned from this brief trip. There are lessons in Detroit that the rest of the country can and should apply.

1. Work Ethic. I realized (once again) that the strong work ethic that I bring to RMD and its clients every day was born in Detroit. There's no slacking in these companies. Surrounded by the steel industry, I was brought up to sincerely believe in the value of hard work. I've always been proud of my blue collar roots.

2. ReThinking. ReEngineering. Detroit has been suffering from economic woes for the past five years, in fact. Detroiters were beginning to feel their hurt WELL before the rest of us - and so, are in many ways well ahead of the problem solving curve. In fact, what I heard from one food brand President is something everyone should be hear. "We've gotten better. We've been forced to think harder, faster, smarter, more efficiently. It was a matter of survival - but in the end, we got better." Business as usual, America, has forever changed. Get real or get out.

3. Get Dirty. Perhaps it's time we all got off our high horse a bit, and got down to some hard work. In the end, it's soooooo not about the beauty of your corner office, or the shoulders you get to rub up against, but about the people you help along the way. Roll up your sleeves America and let's all quit feeling sorry for ourselves. Dig in.

SPC Week 12

2009-03-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Before being an SPC with RMD Advertising, I read a book titled The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. One of his quotes that stuck with me, and that I’ve kept in mind throughout my time here, is “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.”

After 12 weeks at RMD, I respectfully disagree with Mr. Pausch. Coming into this experience, I wanted to learn about advertising and life in an agency. I learned and gained invaluable experience about not only life in an advertising agency, but how to work in a team and manage expectations clearly.

On the other hand, perhaps my experience may not have been everything I possibly could have wanted, but it was everything that I needed. Coming into RMD, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. But the fast-pace and diverse work days gave me an experience that is priceless.

I wish I could write a blog for each member of RMD and tell them how much I appreciate everything they’ve done. Unfortunately, with this being my final blog, this will have to serve as my thank you to the entire RMD dream team.

SPC Week 11

2009-03-20T14:43:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week Kari asked me to do an analysis for Rudolph’s. I examined the feedback customers submitted on their Web site and categorized them. I then created pie graphs to show the distribution of the comments and then shed some light on what the customers are saying.

The diversity in the comments made it very fun and interesting. I learned how much people really love pork rinds, churros, pellets, and cracklins.

I took a large bag full of Rudolph’s pork rinds home to my nine roommates and I’m surprised they weren’t one of the many people giving rave reviews. In a matter or hours, the massive bag of pork rinds was gone and I had nine hungry college kids asking for more.

I have a tip for eating pork rinds. While the original rind is delicious by itself, dipping it is salsa adds another great flavor (for those of you who love a little kick).

The Reason I Do What I Do

2009-03-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

One day, when my oldest child was a bit younger, I remember she said something to me that stopped me dead in my tracks. She told me that when she grew up, she didn't want to work in an advertising agency. She wanted to do something that was actually good for the world.

To someone like me, that just about shot me down.

She had it part right. Some days, clients can be brutal (and sometimes rude), media can be curt, team members can make bad choices. This can be a greed-riden industry, that lacks integrity. That's not what RMD's about.

Most days, we get to be a part of making the world a better place. By virtue of our creativity, ideas, efforts and tenacity, we get to help clients do some really cool things. And sometimes ... not often ... but sometimes ... we actually bring tears to the eyes of another human being (in a good way!)

Below is an excerpt from a thank you letter from the American Cancer Society to Panera Bread - thanking them for Panera's efforts and quilts as a result of their recent Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign/Joined in Hope quilt-making campaign.

I gave one quilt to a woman who is going through breast cancer treatment. She is a full time student balancing treatment, caring for her mom and daughter who both were hospitalized recently. She is also volunteering to help us with Look Good ... Feel Better. She's talked to me about how alone she's felt. I referred her to Reach to Recovery to connect with a woman with a similar breast cancer experience who can give her emotional support and a continuing connection.

I think I'll share this passage with my daughter. I have a hard job, most days, but this is why I do what I do.

SPC Week 10

2009-03-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

Today I experienced the fun, frustrating, frantic and fast-paced world of PR. I spent most of my Friday with Megan and Lesley pitching a variety of medias on the wrap up of Strike Out Thyroid Cancer.

I started off my day on a hot streak, getting two hits within my first 15 minutes of pitching. Unfortunately, I lost my momentum and hit a cold streak. Lesley and Megan gave the necessary guidance that I needed to get back on my feet.

Today really illustrated the experience that I am getting from RMD. The diversity of my work days has allowed me to strengthened many of my skills. My communication skills, both written and oral, have enhanced because of this experience.

I also now understand how the advertising industry operates. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re smart, proactive, driven and able to answer a phone correctly by asking who is calling and where they are calling from (especially at RMD) you will succeed. After all, success is in the details

A new set of SPCs will grace this office in a few weeks and the world will have a new blogger to read on a weekly basis. I will, however, continue to be a sponge and soak in all the knowledge that is available here at RMD.

The Power of Influence

2009-03-12T06:24:00.000-07:00

So I've been celebrating this season by performing random acts of kindness. It's been very interesting ... to me.

This week, I relearned about the power of influence. Through experience. I, like so many others, have been under the power of negative influences lately - and know how hard I fight to NOT believe in all of the naysayers. But I wanted to share with you the power of positive influence. Hopefully, someone ... anyone ... will take my lead and spread good news. Gosh! Imagine if we all did this to just one person a day. What a tremendous affect we would have on the world!

Last weekend, I ran twice. Once with my husband during a "long run" (9 miles) and once with my agency team at the recent Arnold 5K. Both times, I chose the running event to execute my daily random act.

During my long run, I decided I would smile at everyone I passed (on the Granville running path ... you pass a LOT of people). That wasn't enough. I started smiling AND saying hi. Still not enough. So I changed it up a bit. To everyone I passed, I proclaimed, "It's a great day! Pass it on ...".

I am blown away at the power of influence.

... and love.

Even the coldest of hearts were melted. Many repeated my sentiments. Others smiled and pledged to do so. One little boy turned around and repeated the though instantly to his dad. I believe I changed the world on Saturday.

Then, during the Arnold 5K, I repeated my actions. This time, sharing my thoughts mainly with the many police officers patrolling the race. Again, wow. Two days in a row ... I changed the world.

Take my challenge. Influence someone positively today. You too can be a economy and emotional stability builder. Pass it on ...

What This Year Will Mean Two ... Five ... 10 Years From Now

2009-03-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

Rarely do I have a conversation any more with an executive level client that doesn't cover the impact of the economy. From the C-level vantage point, common themes occur. And they're not the themes you may expect.

These clients, a sampling of the successful brands in the country right now, have it right. There are three rally cries I find myself celebrating with them in these corner offices:

1. Renew your commitment to the organization, at every level. This is not a time for lack luster, less than desirable, tried but didn't make it attempts. Now is the time to pull out all the stops, and pledge to work until it succeeds. Nothing less.

2. This is an interesting environment. Never again will things be the same - for we have worked to problem solve, think harder, become leaner and smarter. If you're not doing things differently, you just won't be around for long.

3. Invest in the consumer. Spend to win the customer. Smart brands know that they can be that beacon of hope that their consumers desperately need. They know that each dollar invested today will return four fold as wallets once again loosen. They know that what they can't afford ... is to be absent from the consumer's life.

Perhaps instead of studying those brands that are imploding with layoffs, we should instead study those that are mindfully watching their emotions, keeping their heads pointed forward and believing in the notion that we're all here, doing what we do, for a reason larger than ourselves.

For most ...

Two years from now ... the pains of the time will still be remembered.

Five years from now ... the discomfort will become a vague memory. Some will talk about the time as if it were a badge of honor to wear.

Ten years from now ... many will be wondering if they can again weather another "risky economy." For what goes up will come down.

But for those brands that continue to grow and remain relevant to customers and consumers - business as usual will never be the same. We have found a new and better way to succeed.

Be smart. Work passionately.

SPC Week 9

2009-03-06T14:19:00.000-08:00

Not only has the weather been changing, but the office I work in has too. I am sad to leave Kari, but excited to get two new officemates in Megan and Lesley. Working in a room with three people can be challenging, however I recall the question I had in during my interview process with RMD about how well I work with people.

It just so happens that RMD’s 555 interviews for next quarters SPCs were held on Tuesday and I began remembering all of the questions that I was previously asked. I completely understand why they asked the questions they did, now that I look back in retrospect.

It was a neat experience to be on the other side, and hear what interviewers are looking for and what kind of impressions you can make in an interview. It was a neat interview 101 seminar on what to and what not to do.

Reality is also beginning to set in, as my RMD experience is starting to wrap up. I am in week 9 and feel like I started yesterday. I’m going to spend the duration of my time here trying to get as much as I possibly can out of this experience.

For your viewing pleaure this week, I put a picture of the new room that I work in, with Lesley and Megan. They were busy when I took the picture.

Look! No ink on my hands.

2009-03-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

The Seattle Post newspaper may - as soon as next week - turn to an
online-only publication. Now, it’s no secret that with declining ad revenue
and increased availability of news media web sites, that newspapers have
taken a big hit. Going online is an interesting test. Or should I say
an interesting untest. No paper this large – they have a circulation of
118,000 – has attempted to do this. Of course, let’s assume that they have
looked at their demographics and surveyed their customer, then calculated
the loss customer ratio to reduced materials cost. But putting all that aside -
this could very well work. It’s a new world that changes everyday. Unfortunately,

leisurely reading your laptop in bed on a Sunday morning, won’t be as compelling.
Donn Ditzhazy, ECD

And The Love Word Spreads ...

2009-03-06T10:25:00.001-08:00

So, it's Friday again, and I'm reflecting on my progress so far to deliver one Random Act of Kindness to someone ... anyone ... each day throughout the next 40 days.

Just when I think it's not going so well, I'm reminded that it is.

I received an email from a friend a few moments ago. He's shared, "I read your Lenten blog last week. It was quite good. The world would be a better place if we would all do the simple good things. Reminds me of that TV commercial, where a person does a good deed soon after they see someone else doing one, and so on ... and so on ... (this is one of my FAV spots, too.)

So here's my update. Ten random acts to date:

1. Bought coffee for a stranger, asked him to pass it on.

2. Listened carefully to a friend who had a problem.

3. Gave 20 minute massages to all four family members (yikes! that hurt!)

4. Offer RMD's pro bono services to two important non-profits.

5. Bought sugarless chocolates for a diabetic friend.

6. Gave free agency services to a client that couldn't afford it.

7. Gave three random compliments to people who crossed my path that day.

8. Gave my girl scout cookies to two small children.

9. Refused to give up on someone who wanted to give up on herself.

10. Buying beer for the whole office :) (OK, there's something in this for me, too)

Happy spring. Pay it forward!

It's National Potato Chip Day!

2009-03-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

Second only to potato salad and french fries ... maybe ... I love potato chips! So you can imagine that I jumped to think through how we at RMD could celebrate one of the most important days of the year.

Happy National Potato Chip Day!

March 14 (that's a week from this Saturday)

I really love Mike Sell's chips. Yum. But my favorites, I would have to say, are Herr's. Double yum. Crispy, tasty and always full chips in the bag. How do they do that?

Here are my Top 5 Ways to Celebrate America's fav snack food:

1. Dip 'em as your mid day meal

2. Randomly share a bag with everyone in your department

3. Crunch 'em up and cover your favorite casserole

4. Dip 'em in a chocolate shake (this is really good ...)

5. Can't stomach the carbs? Switch 'em out for pork rinds :)

RMD loves food brands ... but when it's a snack food. Well, can it really get any better than that?

SPC Week 8

2009-02-27T12:51:00.000-08:00

Strike Out Thyroid Cancer has come and gone, leaving me with a proud feeling. When I showed up to Sawmill Lanes, I was blown away by the amount of support. The line was out the door and each lane was packed!

412 people came out to bowl and the event raised more than $20,000!It’s a privilege to say that I was just one of the many ingredients that led to this wonderful event.

I also had the pleasure of bowling with the entire Vallera clan. Angela’s mother, in particular, kept me laughing the entire time. She’s a little firecracker. I now see where Angela gets all her energy. Her father, on the other hand, kicked all of our butts in bowling.

All in all, this was a great experience that has definitely been the highlight of my RMD tenure. I have taken away so much from this experience.

For your viewing pleasure, I have added a picture of yours truly bowling. Yes I know, I have terrible form. Something to the right must have caught my attention, because I'm not even looking at the pins.

I will absolutely be attending Strike Out Thyroid Cancer next year. If you weren’t able to go, you missed out. So buy a ticket for next year – February 20, 2010!

Is It An Economic Crisis?

2009-02-27T06:13:00.001-08:00

Here's a tweet I received today from someone I respect ...

"People are calling this an economic crisis, but it's really a psychologic crisis as well. Take control of your mind and find a way through."

RMD has gained new accounts, and grown current business. But we've had clients cut back, too. The good outweighs the bad - there's so much momentum and motivation here ... when you focus on helping others (in this case grow their businesses), good things always come of it.

Do something selfless today. Take control of your mind, America!

Business's Best Friend and Worst Enemy

2009-02-26T11:56:00.000-08:00

I love this quote ...

"Now that the sexy part of awareness is done, it's 10 years of hard work ahead." - Tom Peters

Ugh! I just love Tom Peters. His homepage is always one of those things that I stumble on and think ... I gotta read this, now.

In short, his quote, above is so true. I've always said that if an emerging brand has a great package ... then, we can do something with that brand. But if it doesn't, the battle is just too up hill.

Consumers want to get closer to the brands they buy. So why are brands too often reluctant to get close to their consumers? It is, as Tom says, 10 years of hard work. But, it can also be a labor of love. Give it a decade ....

Build the brands with credibility messaging - promote them with a solid ad strategy. Turn a consumer into a brand lover one friend at a time. One by one. That's a solid, sustainable model.

PS: I bought a cup of coffee for a stranger yesterday as my first random act of kindness. I was a HIT amongst his circle of construction worker friends. It's a great gig ... pass it on.

I Am Catholic.

2009-02-24T13:28:00.000-08:00

Some people's favorite time of year is season driven. Others love their birthdays. I love Lent ... because as a proud Catholic, I get to have an excuse for doing 40 random acts of kindness for people I know and love - and strangers alike. That's my Lent promise.

A few years back, we scoured the globe for random ideas that could easily be executed by anyone. I'm drawing from this list to help 40 people randomly. What does this have to do with marketing?

When you do something surprisingly simple and nice for someone else, I've noticed that you get the truest sense of human nature. Consider it a study in consumer behavior ... but I plan to blog about my experiences over the next several weeks. Maybe you'll learn a bit or two about how we behave as consumers, too! And, as an agency that works so closely with consumers, it's a perfect study!

Here's a sample of my 100 Ideas. Go ahead! Pick one. You'll find that acting randomly has a powerful reciprocal affect. It's magic.

1. Extend a hand to someone in need. Give your full attention and really listen

2. Buy a stranger a free pizza (it's only $5 at Little Caesars!)

3. Bring a co-worker a special treat

4. Distribute lollipops to kids

5. Treat someone to fresh fruit

6. Visit a homebound person

7. Bake cookies for a neighbor

8. Say something nice to everyone you meet in a given day

9. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee (I did this! It was GREAT!)

10. Take one thing off of someone's task list at work

Happy Spring! - SR

Are Tradeshows a Good Marketing Investment This Year?

2009-02-23T11:27:00.000-08:00

My advice to a client would be: "Keep tradeshows in your budget in 2009". It is a smart way to use your marketing dollars and position yourself as a leader in the industry.

Although attendee and exhibitor numbers are down in 2009, two positive implications:

Less noise so more serious business from attendees there.
Your competitor may have backed out, further positioning you as the leader in the industry.

I was at the North American Pizza and Ice Cream Show yesterday with one of our clients, Delta Energy. Overall, the tone was upbeat and more people were stopping at the booth to learn why they should do business with you and less for the freebies. In short, worth your company's investment.

SPC Week 7

2009-02-20T12:59:00.000-08:00

When I was given the opportunity to help pitch for the Strike Out Thyroid Cancer, it seemed like forever away. But after lots of hard work and even more phone calls, it’s finally going to happen tomorrow!

Another exciting task, that I received this week, was to create a survey for the grand opening of a restaurant that’s target market is 14-25 aged males. I constructed the survey and sent it out to many of my friends, who were initially reluctant to respond. With the help of a second nudge, most of them came around and took the survey. It was really neat to view and analyze the results.

Tune in next week for a complete summary of highlights from Strike Out Thyroid Cancer. If you haven’t bought your ticket, get on it! StrikeOutTyroidCancer.com

Six Things I Love About Emerging Brands

2009-02-17T13:58:00.000-08:00

Over the past several years, RMD has developed a niche in the emerging and growing food brand category. And, we've developed a great track record to go along with that trend. I'm really grateful for that.

Over the past several days, I've been fortunate to be consumed with the launch of a new food brand. It targets an audience that takes me out of my day-to-day comfort zone (I love that!) and has helped me to think differently about not only social media, word of mouth marketing and yes, grassroot tactics - but about a specific and unique target market, overall. (I really do have the best job in the world).

But the past few days have also helped me to think about this category overall. Below is my top 6 Things I Love About Emerging Food Brands. We all love lists ...

1. Most are still family-owned, or family involved (you really get to the heart of brand when family's there).

2. Most have a faith-based culture the drives integrity in all they do.

3. It's a very entrepreneurial culture. Problem-solving and a hands-on approach is always apparent.

4. They're soooooo passionate about what they do. You can't help but grab onto it yourself.

5. They're really hungry for consumer feedback - and likewise, for ideas on how to harness that feedback and turn it into applied learning.

6. They're strong and sustainable, and yet ... always hungry for more success.

Maybe these six reasons play a part in their recession-proof success as a category, overall. Who knows?

SPC Week 6

2009-02-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

The phrase, “Time is money” has taken a whole new meaning to me, now that I work at RMD. At other jobs, I had a few tasks that needed to be completed throughout the day. At RMD, you’re given multiple tasks and then are given more, as the day goes on.

I have learned how to prioritize my tasks, in order to efficiently complete everything at hand. Usually, I don’t spend more than an hour working on a single task.

I am always asked by friends and family, “What do you do for RMD?” That is a question that I could spend all day answering. I could talk about my involvement with Strike Out Thyroid Cancer, reviewing web changes, creating releases to put on community calendars or updating trackers for Ruldolph, Gorman Rupp, Sylvan Learning and Delta Energy.

That’ll do it for this week. For your viewing pleasure, I attached a picture of the SPCs, so everyone can see our beautiful faces. Peace!

LOVE in Business

2009-02-11T05:55:00.001-08:00

I read a page this morning from Aveda's internal philosophy. It's consistent with RMD's thinking ... and is, in fact, the only way to run and grow a business. In the end, we're not trying to say we were the largest advertising agency. We're not even trying to say we were the most profitable. But in the end ... we do want to be able to say, "good job. We helped a lot of people - and were rewarded well for it."

Thought I'd share the passage ...

Loving the Moment
“I’m not interested in competing, I’m interested in making a contribution. If someone else is doing organic, I consider them a colleague.” - Aveda

If you’ve ever doubted the power of Love as a business practice, you haven’t listened to Horst Rechelbacker, founder of AVEDA and intelligent Nutrients. His profound understanding of the power of Love permeates everything AVEDA does.

Love is my therapy. Loving the moment is where information meets chemical matter. When we love, our body releases chemical compounds known as endorphins that interact with neuropeptides and boost our immunity.

Happy Valentine's Day ...

The Attitude of Chicago

2009-02-09T13:29:00.000-08:00

Last Friday, I am proud to say I accompanied my daughter to an audition for a summer dance intensive with Juilliard. It was an honor to my daughter to simply be considered. She was, to say the least, humbled - in that just 44 young men/women from more than 500 that audition nationally for the intensive will be accepted.

I learned, among so many other things, that the Juilliard staff accepted a salary freeze across the board this year in an effort to financially support talent that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford the privilege of this environment. I was moved by that.

But what I want to blog about it not so much Juilliard, but about the entire attitude that I found to be prevalent in Chicago. The economy in Chicago is far more dismal than here in central Ohio. I got up each morning and grabbed a quick run on the treadmill while I watched and listened to the news paint the overall environment as ... well, hopeless.

But I learned something in Chicago. Despite the news, Chicagoans remain positive - hopeful, in fact. From the waitress in the coffee shop - to the cabby that took me to dinner one night, each time I presented them with the thought, "we're all going to be ok. This will pass quickly," I was met with an astounding "I know. I think so too."

Do yourself a favor. Spread the good news of the economy. Raise consumer confidence by acting and speaking randomly. What do you have to lose?

SPC Week 5

2009-02-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

After consuming more Robitussin, Dayquil, and Halls that I can remember, I have finally declared victory over this cold that I’ve been battling all week. My mind is finally sharp and my RMD Mojo is ready to go.

Who knows, it may have been the Mojo energy that has helped out my cold. Whether it’s the Mojo lounge, the gong (which is rung after a PR hit for a client), the Mojo parking places, or our groovy Mojo shirts, RMD has a different atmosphere than any other I’ve worked in.

It was important that I started feeling better this week, because I’ve been pitching the media for the Strike Out Thyroid Cancer campaign. It’s tough getting hits because I’ve been forced to leave multiple voicemails, hoping I’ll get a response. I think everything will work out and I will get my call-backs, I mean, how could you not want to help raise awareness for a great cause!?

As I’ve talked about before, trackers are one of my main tasks to update on a daily basis. In my 4th week and they have become much easier because I am much more knowledgeable and organized.

That’s all for this week. Tune in next week to see our progress on Strike Out Thyroid Cancer. By the way, if you’re interested in buying tickets to the event, go to StrikeOutThyroidCancer.com. It’s a great cause!

The 5 Hour Challenge at RMD

2009-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

When I first bought a bottle of 5 Hour Energy ... I was curious. And a bit intimidated, if I'm honest. In fact, I carried it around in my car for two months before drinking it.

Now, I'm hooked.

Today, I challenged the entire RMD Account team to simultaneously take a shot during our typical 2 pm slump. Again, I wondered, "maybe I'm just a super charged junkie ... and am the only person affected by a sudden burst of drinkable energy."

Wrong.

Wow! The phone's ringing ... the gong's gonging ... media's happening. As one AE says, "we're making the world go round."

Thank you Five Hour. Our entire team is hooked! Try it!

Believe and Thrive

2009-02-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was actually criticized by a client for NOT being negative enough about the current state of our economy. "We need straight talk now, not Suzy Sunshine." This client is performing poorly, among a roster of clients at RMD that experienced double digit growth last year. So you tell me ... does attitude matter? Absolutely.

Believe. Believe that today you will be relevant. Believe that today you will do the right thing to serve customers. Believe that you too can become a LoveMark - especially in this environment. Believe that today you will offer a product that is unique and important - and that customers will choose to buy your product over another. Believe in your agency's ability to get very close to your consumers, customers, shoppers and clients ... and to give you good counsel as a result. Believe in creative logic.

RMD and its roster of clients are performing well. We've got a good attitude. We believe in tomorrow. Think we're the lone survivors in 2008 and 2009? Think again. What do companies such as Walmart, McDonalds, Abbott Labs and a whole host of thriving, smaller brands have in common? They have an amazing ability to keep their heads pointed in the right direction, despite Wallstreet's performance.

I heard a mantra several years back that has always stuck with me: Take good care of Main Street, and WallStreet will take care of itself. Good advice.

SPC Week 4

2009-01-30T15:39:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday night, I was studying for my human resources exam and one of my books focuses on organizational behavior. It discusses how different aspects can negatively or positively affect my ability to work effectively at an organization, such as RMD.

I began relating the material in the book to my experiences at RMD and what their organizational behavior entails. A few of these aspects include having a mentor and an emphasis on culture.

Having a mentor enables me to better assimilate RMD’s goals and values, along with giving me someone I can turn to (Angela). Angela will also help me take in RMD’s culture better.

Culture can be defined, very simply, as “what it’s like to work for a company.” RMD is a very fast-paced and passionate culture.

It took me a week or so to understand the “mojo” theme throughout the office. Mojo represents RMD’s energy that brings out our creative juices. We all sport tie die shirts on Fridays to show our mojo commitment. I will dive further into that in my next chapter.

Having a mentor, however, helps facilitate the assimilation process. When the employee is better connected with the values and culture of an organization, they are much more likely to be more effective and enjoy their work more.

That is just a little insight on the culture here at RMD, as well as proof to my professor (Dr. Inks) that I did, in fact, study for my midterm on Thursday.

Although this has been one of my more serious blogs, tune in next week for my mojo to kick in!

Intended vs. Actual

2009-01-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

Call Centers are often known for their robot recordings and miserable service. But why? Call Centers often institute a time goal or time quota. The objective is to reward people who answer a customer's question in a fast and educated manner. This increases customer satisfaction and decreases company costs. That's the intended effect. The actual effect is the reverse; because people are measured on their time, people often get hung up on or have a question answered wrongly or in a confusing manner. Every action has an intended result and an actual effect. Care to think of the former, but always beware of the latter!

Zheng Fang, Assoc. Art Director

SPC Week 3

2009-01-23T14:24:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wake up in the morning and feel like a million bucks and know it’s going to be a great day. Well, that’s how I felt this morning. I woke up, aced an exam (or so I hope), and came to work. As I sit in my lonely office (Kari is on vacation), I think back to the week that was.

Last Friday, the SPCs were assigned our major project, a bowl-a-thon called Strike Out Thyroid Cancer. It is a great cause and I’m excited to be a part of it. Jacque, Jamie, John and I are responsible for alerting the different media outlets about the cause. We created a production schedule, press release, and tracker to get us started. We get to begin pitching the media shortly!

The constant process of updating trackers has been my major task throughout the weeks, and will continue to be for the duration of my experience. I went from searching the internet for the many different media hits, to now calling the different media outlets to track them down.

I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t happy for it to be Friday. This weekend will consist of my three R’s, relaxing, reading and reenergizing. That’s all for this week. Tune in next week to read about the latest and greatest of RMD Advertising.

The Brand Equity of MTV

2009-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

The other day, I was in my car, on the way to a client pitch with two other RMDers, and we got to talking about MTV. In all, there was a 40 something, a late 20's something and an early 20 something in the car with me. I share this as a point of reference to the generational span and the history of MTV.

The conversation started, I think, with a comment on a commercial that ran on MTV recently.

Do you remember when MTV didn't have commercials? Then, when the network did eventually introduce commercials, it was only with strict regulations that the commercials had to be of a music video nature. It's been a while since I've tuned into MTV, but from what I hear, you can hardly even hear/see any music at all any more because of the amount of commercials.

Talk about Brandacide.

When did MTV sell out? When did MTV turn from passion, creativity and innovation to greed? Love the brand!

2009-01-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

Week 2 as a SPC

2009-01-16T11:23:00.000-08:00

I have cruised into week two as an SPC and I can already tell that this 12-week experience is going to fly by. I have already been exposed to real world experiences that I had never thought about, such as production meetings. Coming into this experience I was not exactly sure what to expect from RMD. I am now able to understand the different facets of an advertising agency. You have Account Executives and Media Specialists who concentrate on the strategic and public relations aspects, while the creative teams deals with web design and ad creation. Sue and Donn overlook the entire process and inject the key ingredients needed for a successful agency. Finally we have Jason, who is part copywriter and part comedian. Donn, Jason, and I hung out on Friday while making tie-dye shirt (which are awesome) and Jason had some humorous stories (my lips are sealed).

Everyday I am given a list of tasks to complete. You are expected to complete those tasks, while being asked to do others throughout the day. This internship has taught me how to prioritize and manage my time. Unfortunately, I was not able to complete all my tasks on Monday and felt like I let Angela (my splendid mentor) down. It was a great learning experience and I promised that it would not happen again. Little things like that are just one of the many experiences that I will take away from RMD and apply to the real world.

That just about wraps it up. I’m looking forward to keep you updated on my weekly experiences throughout my internship. Peace.

KG, Special Project Coordinator

Today is "The Future"

2009-01-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

Right now, I'm re-reading an old favorite, "The Love Marks Effect: Winning in the Consumer Revolution." It's a great, easy biz literature read ... written by Kevin Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi. Today, in my read, he made a comment that stopped me in my tracks. In 2006, he references that it's easy to imagine a world where for the next few years, even with the highest levels of corporate performance, we'll have more consolidation and winnowing away of competitors in any given industry category.

That's what's happening right now. We're in the here and now.

He goes on to predict that at the same time, the equal and opposite reaction will be the opportunity for your corner coffee store to proliferate like grass between the toes of the giants!

I believe building your brand into a Love Mark is indeed the ONLY way to flourish. Perhaps that's why RMD's clients, on average were UP last year by more than 20%. Perhaps that's why RMD performed at a 25% growth rate in 2008. Emerging food brands are on the rise because consumers feel connected to the intimate way in which we market these brands to them. We celebrate the family behind the brand, CEOs still feel proud and connected to the brand. Consumers are communicated to frequently - and often one on one. The concept of "Grassroots marketing" doesn't hold a candle to the approach a passionate and invested brand brings to consumers. And yes, consumers rules now more than ever.

Panera believes every detail matters. Dei Fratelli touts the fact that most of its tomato products are grown on local farms - and that even with their growth, they still know each farmer intimately. More importantly, Dei Fratelli still grows all of their tomato seedlings themselves. Rudolph Foods' is launching a string of communications this year celebrating their founding "mom", Mary.

As consumers, we want to feel good about the products we bring into our homes. After all, food is more than a product in a can. It's the centerpiece at our most intimate spot within the home ... our kitchen table.

The goal isn't to sell more product. Grow market share. Beat the competition. Steal shelf space and grow SKUs. The goal is to get your product discussed at the kitchen table once it's in the home. Emerging food brands show us all how to do that ...

Creativity is Everywhere!

2009-01-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Last week, I attended a funeral. Well, actually a memorial service. I can't actually say it was an unfortunate experience. I found myself inspired with a new sense of what creativity means in the real world.

The service was for a 19 year old who had died of Leukemia. But what took me about this particular service (other than there were three priests in attendance ... quite a feat today!) was that this young man had envisioned and created this entire service himself through the process of creativity. Norman Vincent Peale would call this his three steps to achieving anything: prayerize, picturize, actualize.

After a brief prayer service, the young man's track shoes (he was an avid member of the high school track team) were placed on top of the coffin. Then, the entire group of visitors did a lap (with the coffin!) around the track, while the high school band played. I was so impressed by his vision and creativity!

Here's a quote I read from this young man. Isn't it true: To not give your all is to sacrifice a gift.

Live creatively! Give it your all.

Enthusiastically, Sue Reninger

The Power of the Mind

2009-01-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

During the most recent holiday vacation, I realized that I had "Super Powers". I know, I was as shocked as you might be right now. But, it's true. You see, the power of the mind is strong ... the Universe even stronger. Let me explain. We've all been in a situation where we agonized over a problem that magically - you guessed it - came true. "See," you say with a knowing tone. "I told you the client wouldn't like that idea." In reality, your nightmare probably came true before the presentation. You get the picture. A negative attitude always trumps a positive one.

Oh, my Super Powers? A tire blow out when I consistently thought I would get a flat tire because my spare needed replacing. And a mythical water problem that I fretted over and over about. Yes, it's true ... my mind has the power to make things come true. Maybe yours does too. Now, about that lottery ticket ...

What Business Are You Really In?

2008-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

Some already know this, but every day, in the interest of spurring continuous learning and, in fact, a learning culture at RMD, I share a "Thought of the Day". It's typically an excerpt from a book I'm reading.

Lately, I've been reading a GREAT book, "50 Management Ideas You Really Need to Know", by Edward Russell-Walling. One of the final chapters deals with Marketing Myopia.

It states that "Every once in a corporate blue moon, a truly revoluntionary idea comes along, one that makes every thinking company look at what it is doing through a new pair of spectacles. And a vision corrective was exactly what Theodore Leviss offered managers with his scornful, provacative and hugely influential article, "Marketing Myopia" when it appeared in the Harvard Business Review in 1960."

Among other things, this insightful reference challenges a thought process and approach that we see all too often today - especially with emerging food brands that rely on their channel to deliver a product to the consumer (e.g. the grocer). It argues that while selling focuses on the needs of the seller, marketing focuses on the needs of the buyer. "People actually do not buy gasoline. What they buy is the right to keep driving their cars."

It positions the company, any company, as a customer-satisfying organism.

This is a theme in my life. I've got a good friend, David Kinard, who is perhaps the only TRUE creative genius I will ever meet. One of his recent blogs, entitled "Let's Date Before You Grab My Wallet," discusses the importance of really getting to know your customer before you ask him/her to "invest". Why does it seem we always forget to apply the simple and basic techniques?

This would be a great new year's resolution for companies. Refocus on the customer, and what she/he needs ... not so much the go-betweens. Look at your brands through the consumer's eyes, not just how to get the product on the shelf. In fact, in the long run, if product is flying off the shelf, then you are, in fact, delivering more value to your middlemen than they could ever ask for.

New Resolutions

2008-12-15T12:43:00.000-08:00

I'm not much for new year's resolutions, honestly. In fact, I can't even remember where I put the list I made for last year. But at the beginning of the last full work week of 2008, I'm feeling a bit compelled to set my sights on new goals.

Grow RMD at a rate of 30%+ (that's big, considering we grew last year 25% overall)

Grow the team - in numbers and in learning

Become a love mark to our clients. (Well, it's a BIG goal, but we can make some marked movement on it, right?)

Overpay Boone

Be a better boss, mentor and colleague

Reach high. Reach big. Believe.

Learn every day.

What are your new year's resolutions? I'd really like to hear them. Drop me a line ... I know RMDers will be doing so over the next several days (hint!) And, if you're looking to lose weight (America's favorite resolution!) might I suggest you try Kahiki's veggie egg roll, Rudolph Foods' pork rinds (no carbs!) or Dei Fratelli's Seasoned Diced Tomatoes. Yum!

Ghost in the machine

2008-12-07T19:05:00.000-08:00

As the twenty first century marches ever forward we can take a step back, pause, and look at the slowly dying practice of the every-day Mr. Fix-it, that self-reliant tinkering and repair man. From the hunter gatherers to the agrarian farmers, from the industrial revolutionist to the modern man, the complexity of our contemporary lives has forced us to become specialists with little time to to train ourselves in the mundane tasks of maintenance. Sewing clothes, fixing pipes, repairing cars — these necessities of yesterday have been passed off as hobbies for most and the business of experts for the rest. It would certainly benefit us to know a little more about these skills and it would be hard to argue there wouldn't be some real benefit to be able to tune your own engine every now and then ... but where's the time? Is it really worth it? For one triumphant technology of the 20th century, it just might: The Computer.

It would be pointless to even argue that computers have not drastically changed the way we live our lives today. It would also be a fairly reasonable argument that the computer is like any other tool we use today. Like the automobile, the television, or electricity, deep understanding of their workings is unnecessary to our daily lives. There are people who are paid to be experts at fixing, maintaining, creating, and evaluating all these things — is the computer any different? What separates computers from many other technological aspects of our lives is a combination of prevalence, complexity, 'virtuality' and direct user interface.

Prevalence is easy to explain; our machines have gone from simply being electric to having circuit boards to having computers in them. Complexity is a little less substantive. Whereas a person does not benefit from understanding electricity to using electrical appliances, an understanding of computers and their logic benefits an individual if only because of the aforementioned property: Prevalence. Personal computers are so prevalent that understanding computer immediately imparts benefits to the knowledge holder, possibly turning the casual user to a hobbyist tinkerer. This is possible because of the third property: 'virtuality'. If a car breaks down, parts are required to repair that car. These parts must be manufactured and machined, transported and installed. Computer however have both hardware and, more importantly, software. While computer hardware can fail, more often it is its software that has lapsed in its duties, almost incontrovertibly due to user error or ignorance. But the parts required to solve this problem are virtual. They are 0s and 1s, bits and bytes, and quite often times free of charge. Thanks to the prevalence of computing and the freedom of information exchange across the internet, repairing computer software has been margined to cost nearly nothing. Once the part needed to 'fix' a computer problem has been 'manufactured,' it can be produced ad infinitum, distributed in seconds and applied just as quickly. Which brings to light the computer's last and most important property: direct user interface. A computer's software is fairly open; its inner workings are bare to the user. While they may be mired by the developer, the programmer and the corporation producing them, the guts of the machine are still relatively editable, ready to be modified and manipulated by the person between the chair and the keyboard. Without the might of industry, without the tools of pros, and without the guidance of years, the every-day man can still learn to handle, repair, maintain and use with great craft, the computers of our age.

There is, however, some unspoken language of computers. It is a language spoken by complex creations of man. A language spoken by the ghost in the machine. Machines have temperaments and personalities just like animals and even plants. Learning this language is part of being able to use computers better and more efficiently. There is no school or lesson here; this comes from willingness to experiment and absolving ones-self of fear. First forgo the mantra, 'I'm bad with computers,' then understand that speaking the language of machines is really hearing the language of the people who built them. Double clicks, right clicks, drop downs, icons - there is a consistency to the chaos.

Computers may very soon go the way of many technologies of the past, seemlessly blending themselves into our very lives without nary a notice from the outside observer. Just as there are electricians, so too may there one day remain only a breed of computer-scribes. Already that is happening and is likely irreversable. But take time to understand the machines that so envelope the lives of modern men and the benefits of this understanding may prove inmeasuably beneficial. Take time to know the ghost in the machine.

-Zheng

Managing Fear

2008-12-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

This "economy thing" is getting to everyone. For months, we've made is a practice NOT to talk about "it." Why? Simple marketing. Bad economic times are, in short, a result of lowered consumer confidence. And, in that we work to build (and sell) so many food brands, we cannot afford to lower confidence. It's our job to build it up.

But the times have taken on a whole new level. An emotional level. There's so much fear, worry and stress surrounding businesses - and that trickles into every business. In some cases, even strong, growing brands are stressed - worried that "it's going to hit them sooner or later." That's craziness.

Here's a tip. Take a dose of Tony Robbins. It'll do you good.

Or, maybe more companies should hire a director of stress management. Our's is working overtime.

Can we really affect business with a strong emotional you? Can it be done? Absolutely. Many of RMD's clients are enjoying 20%+ growth currently. RMD is enjoying a 20% growth rate, year to date. What do these clients have in common? Two things. A sound belief in the power of the consumer, and a strong sense of emotional IQ. As consumers, we're still eating. We're still dining out. We're still investing in our cities. We're still shopping. It's our job to make sure they're buying our products.

Time to get to work!

Wagons Ho, Ho, Ho

2008-12-02T08:14:00.000-08:00

Today marks the day that RMD kicks off its annual giving campaign. Traditionally (for the past five years or so), in lieu of client gifts, we pool the money we would have spent on wine, chocolates and other "nice things" and give the money, anonymously, to one family who needs some help.

One year we bought shoes for a single mom with SEVERAL children. Another year, we gave Walmart gift cards to a homeless single mother. Last year we gave the money to a janitor who had lost his car, and was having difficulties getting to work. (Really ... there shouldn't be this much sadness in the world.)

Somehow, it's never enough.

This year, we want more. The audacity! At a time when so many people are buried in worry ... we want more? Therefore, we've launched Wagons ... Ho Ho Ho. RMD will purchase more than two dozen Radio Flyer Wagons and stuff them to the gills with food and family goodies. Then, the MidOhio Food Bank will pick up the wagons and deliver them to families who deserve a smile this holiday. That makes me feel good. 25 smiles ... we'll, it's a start.

THANK YOU Kahiki Foods, another anonymous client-donor and all of the friends of RMD who have stepped up to contribute money, food and more. Through simple word of mouth, people have learned about this initiative and asked to help. Wow. Maybe one day soon we can turn those 25 smiles into 250 smiles! Now that's a goal worth shooting for.

Week 11 as a SPC

2008-11-30T19:49:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is rapidly approaching. I am a big fan of this time of year… with the Christmas trees, cookies, hot coco, outdoor lights and Santa Claus, there is no better time of year. Oh, I can’t forget the perks of Thanksgiving: amazing food, pumpkin pie and black Friday! These wonderful things represent a time of year for giving and being thankful for what we have.

This year, I have much to be thankful for. As always my family is at the top of my list. I am fortunate enough to be apart of an incredible family filled with love, laughter and happiness. Next, my friends, who are a fascinating group of people filled with immense talent. New to my list are my coworkers at RMD.

Few people are fortunate enough to find a work environment that feels like a family. I am one of those lucky people. To work in the fast RMD environment, you have to be a part of the family. RMD is a place where you can find amazing work advice as well as personal advice. RMD is a place where you can feel comfortable in presenting ideas, sharing thoughts, questioning methods and solving problems. Finally, RMD is a place where you have a plethora of knowledge in Public Relations and Advertising. I wouldn’t have been able to experience everything this place has to offer if I hadn’t become part of the family.

RMD is focused on the best interest of the RMD team as well as the clients. We work together as a team which means rolling with the punches. That being said, sometimes you have to be prepared to get punched. Messing up is hard because you feel like a disappointment to the family. Being successful feels phenomenal because you know your family is proud.

I am very thankful for this internship opportunity. I have become apart of a family that thrives on team work and possesses a fun and dedicated energy. Each member of the RMD team has taught me something, both in the working world and the real world.

My shout out this week goes to my friend, Megan. Welcome back! You bring so much talent to the team.

Also, I created a bio on the website this week... check me out!

Week 10 as a SPC

2008-11-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

This week was grocery shopping for my apartment. After perusing the “need to cook” items, I zoomed in on frozen foods. To my excitment, I found Kahiki frozen dinners. I thought to myself, how many nights can a girl eat frozen Chinese? Well, the answer is many nights in a row because the quality of Kahiki frozen dinners surpass any Chinese dinner I could ever make.

This got me thinking about the recipe contest Kahiki is hosting. I started wondering how much a consumer would have to love the brand, Kahiki, to participate in the contest. And we have had participants. This was a great feeling because the posted recipes prove that PR really works. People learn about Kahiki and recipe contests through the announcements, cooking segments and interviews we work to get for Kahiki. All our work is worthless though if the brand isn’t high quality. From first hand experience, the brand is high quality. However, I also learned this week that I am not good at recipe contests. Because here is my recipe:

1.) Buy kahiki frozen dinner: General Taos Chicken (my favorite)
2.) Follow heating directions located on the back of the frozen dinner
3.) Toast wheat bread
4.) Dump heated contents onto toasted wheat bread.

As you can see, I really don’t have a future as a chef.

Now that I have seen how wonderful Kahiki frozen dinners are, had my boyfriend prepare dinner with Dei Fratelli products (he can cook!), convinced my mom to take a trip with me to the Town Center at Levis Commons, made plans to go to Mustard Seed Market when I am home for Thanksgiving and made multiple trips to Panera Bread (I might be an addict), I have now decide I need a dog so I can become just as faithful to Bil Jac products. That being said, the next step is to convince my landlord that I should be allowed to have a dog. That should be easy, after all it is just pitching a wonderful idea…

And my shout out, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DONN!

Week 9 as a SPC

2008-11-17T05:47:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to say that last week I accomplished one of my goals from week 8: a new business meeting for 2009! I did not bring the client in, but I did get to see how a new business meeting works. From the meeting, I picked up some valuable lessons regarding how to communicate with a new client.

Kari and Sue ran the meeting and they had several things they had to do to prepare. Making an agenda for a meeting is essential because it provides an outline that is easy to follow for the client and RMD. Emailing the agenda in advance allows the client to evaluate and prepare questions. The agenda made the meeting flow for Kari and Sue because it placed everyone on the same page.

One thing I would like to applaud Kari and Sue for is their ability to communicate so positively with a client. They were able to frame their conversations around the client’s responses as well as turn bad news, positive. Language is an easy way to keep a meeting positive. Use words like “inexpensive” instead of “cheap”. The client should always leave the meeting with positive associations to RMD.

“If you’re not building the brand, you’re eroding it.”
-Unknown

I heard Sue say this statement and I believe to be an appropriate depiction of RMD’s goal for clients. In all the work we do for clients, our goal is to always make sure we are doing what is best for the brand. When pitching to the media, we want to provide all the best information because we want to place the brand in the best light. This is always seen in our business meetings when we are explaining our objectives and how we are going to get there: it is all about the brand.

Ok, here is the update in the office: we have a new member on our team. Jason Howard, came to RMD from fast paced New York City! However, he is learning that NYC is nothing compared to the speed we move in this office. Welcome and keep up the good work, Jason!

Week 8 as a SPC

2008-11-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

Over the past 7 weeks, I have been a vital part of the RMD team. I have also watched outstanding work take place RMD. I have reached my half way point in my internship and there are still things I want to accomplish at RMD. This made me start thinking about what I know regarding PR…

This is what I know. I know that I feel comfortable working for an agency and not a corporation. What I find appealing about an agency is working with multiple clients, not only one. I also know that I love working in PR and I couldn’t be happier with my degree choice! While I find advertising exciting, accounting logical, science fascinating and history beneficial, I find PR perfect for me. Finally, I know working with media and clients is my niche. I find myself comfortable around strangers and I feel as though I adjust accordingly to my surroundings.

So what does this have to do with RMD? Well, it’s simple. I have made a list of things I don’t know how to do…
1) Find new business
2) Prepare for client meetings
3) Run client meeting
4) Create media opportunities for clients (something to pitch about)
5) Write conference reports
6) Finally, make coffee that isn’t too strong

When you are in an environment for 12 weeks surrounded by the best resources, you use them to your full advantage. I work with people who have snatched great new businesses, created outstanding events for clients that will generate publicity, had successful client meetings and make perfect coffee. These are skills I want to learn from the best and the best is RMD Advertising.

AD, Special Projects Coordinator

Week 7 as a SPC

2008-11-03T08:01:00.000-08:00

To start the week, there was a SPC appreciation breakfast, filled with McDonalds, donuts, sparkling grape juice, fruit and flowers! The RMD team shocked every SPC! To be appreciated by such outstanding individuals gave me a strong feeling of accomplishment. The breakfast was delicious. Thank you, RMD!

One of my jobs as a SPC at RMD is to track our media hits. We have had two impressive weeks in a row! From 60 hits one week to 61 hits the following week, our team is making the media pay attention to our clients. Congratulations, RMD! Way to keep the ball rolling!

With so many projects in my 23 hour work week, I have decided I need more hours in the day. As I have said, pitching is one of my favorite jobs at RMD. However, there are other jobs at RMD that need to be done. Tracking the media hits for our clients is an important and a time consuming job. Sometimes locating articles is a game of cat and mouse and computing advertising equivalency can be a game of phone tag. It is a job that is important because it shows our clients what RMD is doing. Some of the articles I have found by my teammates are amazing! For example, Jessica got an awesome article for Mustard Seed Market in The Plain Dealer. It was an interview by Joe Sabo and focused on what celiacs disease is, and where to find gluten-free products. The Plain Dealer is a huge newspaper in the Cleveland area, the market for Mustard Seed Market. You’re a rock star, Jessica!

I have accomplished some media hits I find to be impressive as well. I did a lot of pitching for The Town Center at Levis Commons 4th annual Fall Festival. My first two were in The Toledo Blade and Monroe News. It was exciting to see my announcements online! And even more exciting to google search “The Town Center at Levis Commons, Fall Festival” and have my media hits appear on the first page of search results.

I would like to take a moment to give a shout out to Lesley. A new RMD team member and an excellent one at that! Like a fish to water, Lesley has found her way in the RMD sea. Her first week she was emailing media opportunity alerts consistently, getting people to call her back rapidly and making cookies with Dei Fratelli products. Cheers to you, Lesley! It is an honor to work with you.

To close the week, we had Halloween at RMD. It was filled with costumes and candy, two of my favorite things! While I sported a fabulous witches hat, Angela top the charts for best Halloween costume: Ugly Betty. Cheers to everyone else at RMD who brought great candy and fun costumes: Jessica, Lesley, Kari, Donn, Zheng and Megan. The sugar rush was fantastic, Thank you!

AD, Special Projects Coordinator

Week 6 as a SPC

2008-10-28T19:16:00.000-07:00

RMD is a team that works on relationships. Whether it be communicating from account services to the creative team, informing others when you are out of the office, succeeding in a meeting, or accomplishing media hits, you need strong relationships with your team.

Last week, people in the media learned my name. Granted, some could say I have an easy name to remember, with emphasis on my last name. However, this was the first time when doing follow up phone calls that I was remembered. The relationship formed with an editor, producer, or program director is beneficial for strong media hits. An announcement could become an article, then perhaps an interview if you take the time to form the relationship. That is what I am working towards now: an interview for Mustard Seed Market.

I also attended a Quilt Square Decorating Party for Panera at The Stitching Post. The Quilt Party is for Breast Cancer support, a topic that hits close to home. This is one of my favorite things to say I am a part of at my internship here at RMD. It has been an honor to say that the company I am interning for as put forth so much effort to inform others about this event. I also think it is important to support the people you work with by attending the events they are working for. At the end of the day, it is all about supporting and appreciating what RMD has done and this event receives high praise from me. Everyone should take the time to make a quilt square! Take the time to show you care.

Nothing screams Friday at RMD like tye-dye! It was a SPC party with the tie-dye kits. We are now proud owners of Mojo tie-dye t-shirts. Making these t-shirts was a blast with the SPC team. We have gotten to know one another, and I appreciate all the talent, work ethic and flare they bring to RMD. However, something happens when you leave three SPC’s, in tie-dye, in the mojo room…

Week 5 as an SPC

2008-10-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

First of all, Megan and I moved into our own office! To others this may not create such a thrill but for me it was a big rush. Having my own space at my first internship makes me feel as though I am ready to be a part of the working world (minus bills)! RMD has high expectations of me and I am going to show how well I work in my new office. SPCs have never been about to work together in their own office… that is SPC’s before us.

With my new office comes more time in the Mojo room, which is a plus! The mojo room is filled with all kinds of nick-nacks, comfy chairs and a telephone. My office with Megan only has one phone so for pitching I work in the Mojo room. I find it keeps my spirits up when I have a day of leaving voicemails (which means I have to make people want to call me back!). I guess I have two offices… one for pitching and the other for office work. Look who is cool now!

October 17, 7008 was National Boss Appreciation Day. It got me thinking about how fortunate I am to have been chosen to be on the RMD team. RMD is a place filled with excellent teachers who demonstrate remarkable abilities in the fields of PR, marketing and creativity. It is an atmosphere that works because of tough love, constant recognition and fun. There is tough love because of high expectations. This has tested me to see what I am capable of, which I am seeing is a lot. Ok work is not what RMD looks for; only the best! There is constant recognition throughout the RMD team. A characteristic that I believe other agencies don’t focus on enough. Whenever I succeed I know I will hear a cheer or see a smile and that is rewarding. There is fun at RMD with our mojo breakfasts, brown bad lunch and chatting with team members. I am lucky enough to work with some amazing people who are interested in my life outside of work and I am interested in theirs. Brown bag lunch might be my favorite part because everyone takes 30 minutes to relax. Yes there is a presentation usually but there is laughter too. All that being said, the environment at RMD and the work experience I am gaining, is all thanks to excellent people (my bosses!). I would not be learning my love for pitching, expanding my writing skills and experiencing how a well oiled machine runs without Jessica, Angela, Kari, Sue, Donn, Zheng and Boone. Happy National Boss Appreciation Day and thank you.

On a side note, Boone and I formed a stronger relationship this past week. Thanks to pizza, Boone now knows who to turn to when it is lunch time. She somehow knows whenever I am in the kitchen, and with a little tail wagging, she can walk away with most of my lunch. Next week I think I am going to try to trick her with a disguise…

Week 4 as a SPC

2008-10-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Every morning, I have a routine. I hit the snooze button at least twice changing my set wake up time from 6:00am to 6:22am. I run around and manage to complete my basic morning tasks in 1 hour and 18 minutes (sometimes 21 minutes). Then I arrive at RMD at 8:00am to complete tasks in either 7 hours or 9 ½ hours.

This week, I learned that it is easier to complete my morning routine, consisting of a shower, getting dressed, breakfast and newspaper, then my schedule at RMD. I need to realize the importance of setting times to complete projects. For example, I worked on two news releases on Monday. I did complete the news releases very well with some help of excellent coaching! However, instead of focusing on completing the news releases in a set time, I didn’t watch the clock. My lack of attention to time caused me to rush for the rest of the day and therefore making me 15 minutes late to my class. In the morning, I know how many minutes I have to complete each task to make it on time to work in the morning. However, that clock checking ability occasionally escapes me when I am at work.

It is very important to create deadlines when you’re working on projects for RMD. Mapping out your daily tasks makes it possible to create these deadlines. For example, on Wednesday, I had two trackers I needed to work on. I gave myself an hour for each tracker allowing myself time to devote to pitching. In my pitching time I got 4 media hits for the Town Center! Time flies at RMD and time is essential for completing daily assignments so wear a watch at all times!

Angela rocks at completing all her projects. Whenever I walk past her office early in the day it is covered with job jackets but by the closing of the day the job jackets have diminished. Somehow she does that and still manages to find time to help me pitch to the media in between her own projects. With new pitching proposals she emails me what I need to do and then I practice with her (we fake the phone ringing and everything…). Her teaching technique is working because I am really getting confident at media pitching!

Another person worthy of a shout-out from me is Jessica. Sharing an office with two other people means you get a lot of questions! She is always willing to answer questions while making sure we are handling our workload at RMD.

It is time to return to allocating my time so I can complete as many projects as I can for RMD!

AD, Special Projects Coordinator

Week 3 as an SPC

2008-10-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

At RMD there is pitching, press release writing, new business alerts and website management. Did I mention these are all the tasks for one day? Sometimes you have to fit interviews and computer glitches into that schedule as well.

Being a Senior at The Ohio State University I have learned so far, the importance of time management and advanced my overall skill level by providing me basic knowledge of excel, axis, the 4 P’s of marketing and advertising tips. Being a SPC at RMD Advertising is teaching me dedication no matter how long the day is, team work comes in the form of cheering and assisting, job jackets are key to avoiding chaos and never leave food on the top of the trash can because Boone will find it. The experience I am gaining here has surpassed my expectations in every way imaginable. The first day is intimidating because RMD is a well-oiled machine and no one wants to be the wrench in the machine. However once you can answer the phone in no more than 2 rings you’re on the right path.

So far my path at RMD has taken me to my first press release, my first web copy and my first pitch! All of which have been incredible, and support my decision to enter into the field of public relations. While my press release writing skills do require some polishing, I feel as though I have plenty of teachers willing to help. The web copy I wrote has been my favorite job so far because it was right up my alley. I love being creative and writing is one of my top favorites when it comes to creative outlets. Also, the web copy I wrote was about fashion... it doesn’t get much better than that for me! My first pitch was a blast. I feel comfortable speaking with clients but having a crowd for my first pitch was nerve-racking! I did get a hit on my first pitching attempt, which obviously required a dance in the hall. I am looking forward to receiving many more hits.

If only I could get my tracker to fall into place I would be smooth sailing. Sometimes people just don’t want to call you back, or email you back for that matter. It is frustrating when you had constant contact, the person was working with you, and then they disappear. Maybe Boone could hunt these people down for me... there is something about that face that makes you do anything (like share your lunch).

I have 9 weeks left and I cannot wait to see what RMD teaches me next…

AD, Special Projects Coordinator